Harry Potter and the half-blood prince part 9 AUDIOBOOK

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#harrypotter  #audiobook #harrypotterfan  Narrator: James Dobinson

Transcript

00:00:00Chapter 24 Sectumsempra

00:00:04Exhausted but delighted with his night's work, Harry told Ron and Hermione everything that

00:00:08had happened during next morning's charms lesson, having first cast the Mafliato spell

00:00:13upon those nearest them.

00:00:14They were both satisfyingly impressed by the way he had wheedled the memory out of Slughorn,

00:00:18and positively awed when he told them about Voldemort's Horcruxes and Dumbledore's promise

00:00:23to take Harry along should he find another one.

00:00:25Wow, said Ron, when Harry had finally finished telling them everything.

00:00:29Ron was waving his wand very vaguely in the direction of the ceiling, without paying the

00:00:33slightest bit of attention to what he was doing.

00:00:35Wow, you're actually going to go with Dumbledore, and try and destroy?

00:00:39Wow!

00:00:40Ron, you're making it snow, said Hermione patiently, grabbing his wrist and redirecting

00:00:44his wand away from the ceiling, from which, sure enough, large white flakes had started

00:00:48to fall.

00:00:49Lavender brown, Harry noticed, glared at Hermione from a neighbouring table, through very red

00:00:53eyes, and Hermione immediately let go of Ron's arm.

00:00:56Oh yeah, said Ron, looking down at his shoulders in vague surprise.

00:00:59Sorry, looks like we've all got horrible dandruff now.

00:01:03He brushed some of the fake snow off Hermione's shoulder.

00:01:05Lavender burst into tears.

00:01:07Ron looked immensely guilty and turned his back on her.

00:01:10We split up, he told Harry out of the corner of his mouth.

00:01:13Last night, when she saw me coming out of the dormitory with Hermione, obviously she

00:01:17couldn't see you, so she thought it had just been the two of us.

00:01:20Ah, said Harry, well, you don't mind it's over, do you?

00:01:23Ron admitted.

00:01:24It was pretty bad while she was yelling, but at least I didn't have to finish it.

00:01:28Coward, said Hermione, though she looked amused.

00:01:31Well, it was a bad night for romance all around.

00:01:33Ginny and Dean split up too, Harry.

00:01:35Harry thought there was a rather knowing look in her eye as she told him that, but she could

00:01:39not possibly know that his insides were suddenly dancing the conga, keeping his face as immobile

00:01:44and his voice as indifferent as he could, he asked.

00:01:47How come?

00:01:48Oh, something really silly.

00:01:49She said he was always trying to help her through the portrait hole, like she couldn't

00:01:53climb in herself, but they'd been a bit rocky for ages.

00:01:56Harry glanced over at Dean on the other side of the classroom.

00:01:59He certainly looked unhappy.

00:02:00Of course, this puts you in a bit of a dilemma, doesn't it?

00:02:03said Hermione.

00:02:04What do you mean?

00:02:05said Harry quickly.

00:02:06The Quidditch team, said Hermione, if Ginny and Dean aren't speaking.

00:02:09Oh, oh yeah, said Harry.

00:02:11Flitwick, said Ron in a warning tone.

00:02:13The tiny little charms master was bobbing his way towards them, and Hermione was the

00:02:17only one who had managed to turn vinegar into wine.

00:02:20Her glass flask was full of deep crimson liquid, whereas the contents of Harry's and

00:02:24Ron's were still murky brown.

00:02:26Now, now, boys, squeaked Professor Flitwick reproachfully.

00:02:30A little less talk, a little more action.

00:02:31Let me see you try.

00:02:33Together they raised their hands, concentrating with all their might, and pointed them at

00:02:37their flasks.

00:02:38Harry's vinegar turned to ice.

00:02:40Ron's flask exploded.

00:02:41Yes, for homework, said Professor Flitwick, re-emerging from under the table and pulling

00:02:46the shards of glass out of the top of his hat.

00:02:49Practice!

00:02:50They had one of their rare joint free periods after charms, and walked back to the common

00:02:54room together.

00:02:55Ron seemed to be positively light-hearted about the end of his relationship with Lavender,

00:02:58and Hermione seemed cheery too, though when asked what she was grinning about, she simply

00:03:03said, it's a nice day.

00:03:04Neither of them seemed to have noticed that a fierce battle was raging inside Harry's

00:03:07brain.

00:03:08She's Ron's sister.

00:03:10But she's ditched Dean.

00:03:11She's still Ron's sister.

00:03:12I'm his mate.

00:03:14They'll make it worse.

00:03:16If I'd talked to him first, he'd hit you.

00:03:19What if I don't care?

00:03:20He's your best mate.

00:03:21Harry barely noticed that they were climbing through the portrait hall, into the sunny

00:03:25common room, and only vaguely registered the small group of Seventh Years clustered together

00:03:29there, until Hermione cried, Katie, you're back, are you okay?

00:03:33Harry stared.

00:03:34It was indeed Katie Bell, looking completely healthy, and surrounded by her jubilant friends.

00:03:38I'm really well, she said happily.

00:03:40They let me out of St Mungo's on Monday, had a couple of days at home with Mum and Dad,

00:03:44and then came back here this morning.

00:03:46Liam was just telling me about McLagan, and the last match, Harry.

00:03:49Yes, said Harry.

00:03:50Well, now you're back and Ron's fit, we'll have a decent chance of thrashing Ravenclaw,

00:03:54which means we could still be in the running for the cup.

00:03:57Listen, Katie.

00:03:58He had to put the question to her at once.

00:04:01His curiosity even drove Ginny temporarily from his brain.

00:04:04He dropped his voice as Katie's friends started gathering up their things.

00:04:08Apparently they were late for transfiguration.

00:04:10That necklace, can you remember who gave it to you now?

00:04:13No, said Katie, shaking her head ruefully.

00:04:16Everyone's been asking me, but I haven't got a clue.

00:04:18The last thing I remember was walking into the ladies in the free broomsticks.

00:04:22You definitely went into the bathroom then, said Hermione.

00:04:24Well, I know I pushed open the door, said Katie, so I suppose whoever imperiorised me

00:04:30was standing just behind it.

00:04:32After that, my memory's blank, until about two weeks ago in St Mungo's.

00:04:35Listen, I'd better go.

00:04:37I wouldn't put it past McGonagall to give me lines, even if it's my first day back.

00:04:41She caught up her bag and books and hurried after her friends, leaving Harry, Ron and

00:04:45Hermione to sit down at a window table and ponder what she had told them.

00:04:50So, it must have been a girl or a woman who gave Katie the necklace, said Hermione, to

00:04:54be in the ladies' bathroom.

00:04:56Or someone who looked like a girl or a woman, said Harry.

00:04:58Don't forget, there was a cauldron full of polyjuice potion at Hogwarts.

00:05:02We know some of it got stolen.

00:05:03In his mind's eye, he watched a parade of crabs and goyles prance past, all transformed

00:05:09into girls.

00:05:10I think I'm going to take another swig of Felix, said Harry, and have a go at the Room

00:05:14of Requirements again.

00:05:16That would be a complete waste of potions, said Hermione flatly, putting down the copy

00:05:19of Spellman's syllabary she had just taken out of her bag.

00:05:23Luck can only get you so far, Harry.

00:05:25The situation with Slughorn was different.

00:05:27You always had the ability to persuade him, you just needed to tweak the circumstances

00:05:30a bit.

00:05:31Luck isn't enough to get you through a powerful enchantment, though.

00:05:35Don't go wasting the rest of that potion.

00:05:37You'll need all the luck you can get if Dumbledore takes you along with him.

00:05:40She dropped her voice to a whisper.

00:05:42Couldn't we make some more?

00:05:44Ron asked Harry, ignoring Hermione.

00:05:46It'd be great to have a stock of it.

00:05:47Have a look in the book.

00:05:50Harry pulled the copy of Advanced Potion Making out of his bag and looked up Felix Felicis.

00:05:54Blimey, it's seriously complicated, he said, running an eye down the list of ingredients.

00:05:58And it takes six months.

00:06:00You've got to let it stew.

00:06:02Typical, said Ron.

00:06:03Harry was about to put his book away when he noticed the corner of a page folded down.

00:06:08Turning to it, he saw the Sectumsempra spell, captioned For Enemies, that he had marked

00:06:14a few weeks previously.

00:06:15He had still not found out what it did, mainly because he did not want to test it around

00:06:19Hermione, but he was considering trying it out on MacLagan next time he came up behind

00:06:23him, unawares.

00:06:25The only person who was not particularly pleased to see Katie Bell back at school was Dean

00:06:28Thomas, because he would no longer be required to fill her place as chaser.

00:06:33He took the blow stoically enough when Harry told him, merely grunting and shrugging, but

00:06:37Harry had the distinct feeling as he walked away that Dean and Seamus were muttering mutinously

00:06:42behind his back.

00:06:43The following fortnight saw the best quidditch practices Harry had known as captain.

00:06:47His team was so pleased to be rid of MacLagan, so glad to have Katie back at last, that they

00:06:52were flying extremely well.

00:06:54Ginny did not seem at all upset about the breakup with Dean.

00:06:57On the contrary, she was the life and soul of the team.

00:06:59Were there imitations of Ron anxiously bobbing up and down in front of the goalposts as the

00:07:03quaffle sped towards him, or of Harry bellowing orders at MacLagan before being knocked out

00:07:08cold kept them all highly amused.

00:07:10Harry, laughing with the others, was glad to have an innocent reason to look at Ginny.

00:07:14He had received several more bludger injuries during practice because he had not been keeping

00:07:18his eyes on the snitch.

00:07:20The battle still raged inside his head, Ginny or Ron.

00:07:24Sometimes he thought that the post-lavender Ron might not mind too much if he asked Ginny

00:07:27out.

00:07:28But then he remembered Ron's expression when he had seen her kissing Dean, and was sure

00:07:32that Ron would consider it base treachery if Harry so much as held her hand.

00:07:36Yet Harry could not help himself talking to Ginny, laughing with her, walking back from

00:07:40practice with her.

00:07:41However much his conscience ached, he found himself wondering how best to get her off

00:07:45on her own.

00:07:46It would have been ideal if Slughorn had given another of his little parties, for Ron would

00:07:51not be around.

00:07:52But unfortunately Slughorn seemed to have given them up.

00:07:55Once or twice Harry considered asking for Hermione's help, but he did not think he could

00:07:59stand seeing the smug look on her face.

00:08:01He thought he caught it sometimes when Hermione spotted him staring at Ginny, or laughing

00:08:05at her jokes.

00:08:06And to complicate matters, he had the nagging worry that if he didn't do it, somebody else

00:08:11was sure to ask Ginny out soon.

00:08:13He and Ron were at least agreed on the fact that she was too popular for her own good.

00:08:18All in all, the temptation to take another gulp of Felix Felicis was becoming stronger

00:08:23by the day.

00:08:24For surely this was a case for, as Hermione put it, tweaking the circumstances.

00:08:29The balmy days slid gently through May, and Ron seemed to be there at Harry's shoulder

00:08:33every time he saw Ginny.

00:08:36Harry found himself longing for a stroke of luck that would somehow cause Ron to realise

00:08:41that something would make him happier than his best friend and his sister falling for

00:08:44each other, and to leave them alone together for longer than a few seconds.

00:08:49There seemed no chance of either while the final Quidditch game of the season was looming.

00:08:53Ron wanted to talk tactics with Harry all the time, and had little thought for anything else.

00:08:58Ron was not unique in this respect.

00:09:00Interest in the Gryffindor-Ravenclaw game was running extremely high throughout the

00:09:03score, for the match would decide the championship, which was still wide open.

00:09:08If Gryffindor beat Ravenclaw by a margin of 300 points, a tall order, and yet Harry had

00:09:12never known his team fly better, then they would win the championship.

00:09:16If they won by less than 300 points, they would come second to Ravenclaw.

00:09:20If they lost by 100 points, they would be third behind Hufflepuff.

00:09:24And if they lost by more than 100, they would be in fourth place, and nobody, Harry thought,

00:09:28would ever, ever let him forget that it had been he who had captained Gryffindor to their

00:09:32first bottom-of-the-table defeat in two centuries.

00:09:35The run-up to this crucial match had all the usual features.

00:09:39Members of rival houses attempting to intimidate opposing teams in the corridors, unpleasant

00:09:44chants about individual players being rehearsed loudly as they passed, the team members themselves

00:09:49either swaggering around enjoying all the attention, or else dashing into bathrooms

00:09:53between classes to throw up.

00:09:55Somehow the game had become inextricably linked in Harry's mind with the success or failure

00:10:00of his plans for Ginny.

00:10:02He could not help feeling that if they won by more than 300 points, the scenes of euphoria

00:10:06and a nice loud after-match party might be just as good as a hearty swig of Felix Felicis.

00:10:13In the midst of all his preoccupations, Harry had not forgotten his other ambition, finding

00:10:17out what Malfoy was up to in the Room of Requirement.

00:10:20He was still checking the Marauder's Map, and as he was often unable to locate Malfoy

00:10:24on it, deduced that Malfoy was still spending plenty of time within the room.

00:10:28Although Harry was losing hope that he would never succeed in getting inside the room,

00:10:32he attempted it whenever he was in the vicinity, but no matter how he reworded his request,

00:10:38the wall remained firmly doorless.

00:10:40A few days before the match against Ravenclaw, Harry found himself walking down to dinner

00:10:44alone from the common room.

00:10:47John having rushed off into a nearby bathroom to throw up yet again, and Hermione having

00:10:50dashed off to see Professor Vector about a mistake she thought she might have made in

00:10:55her last Arithmancy essay.

00:10:57More out of habit than anything, Harry made his usual detour along the seventh floor corridor,

00:11:02checking the Marauder's Map as he went.

00:11:04For a moment he could not find Malfoy anywhere, and assumed he must indeed be inside the Room

00:11:09of Requirement again, but then he saw Malfoy's tiny, labelled dot standing in a boy's bathroom

00:11:14on the floor below, accompanied not by Crabbe or Goyle, but by Moaning Myrtle.

00:11:19Harry only stopped staring at this unlikely coupling when he walked right into a suit

00:11:23of armour.

00:11:24The loud clash brought him out of his reverie.

00:11:26Hurrying from the scene, lest Filch should turn up, he dashed down the marble staircase

00:11:31and along the passageway below.

00:11:33Outside the bathroom he pressed his ear against the door.

00:11:35He couldn't hear anything.

00:11:37He very quietly pushed the door open.

00:11:39Draco Malfoy was standing with his back to the door, his hands clutching either side

00:11:43of the sink, his white, blonde hair and his head bowed.

00:11:47Don't, crooned Moaning Myrtle's voice from one of the cubicles, don't.

00:11:52Tell me what's wrong.

00:11:53I can help you.

00:11:55No one can help me, said Malfoy.

00:11:57His whole body was shaking.

00:11:58I can't do it.

00:11:59I can't.

00:12:00It won't work.

00:12:01And unless I do it soon, he says he'll kill me.

00:12:04And Harry realised, with a shock so huge it seemed to root him to the spot, that Malfoy

00:12:09was crying.

00:12:11Actually crying.

00:12:12Tears streaming down his pale face into the grimy basin.

00:12:16Malfoy gasped and gulped and then, with a great shudder, looked up into the cracked

00:12:19mirror and saw Harry staring at him over his shoulder.

00:12:23Malfoy wheeled around, drawing his wand.

00:12:25Instinctively, Harry pulled out his own.

00:12:27Malfoy's hex missed Harry by inches, shattering the lamp on the wall beside him.

00:12:32Harry threw himself sideways, fought, leather corpus and flicked his wand, but Malfoy blocked

00:12:37the jinx and raised his wand for another.

00:12:39No!

00:12:40No!

00:12:41Stop it!

00:12:42Squealed Moaning Myrtle, her voice echoing loudly around the tiled room.

00:12:44Stop!

00:12:45Stop!

00:12:46There was a loud bang and the bin behind Harry exploded.

00:12:50Harry attempted a leg-locker curse that backfired off the wall behind Malfoy's ear and smashed

00:12:54the cistern beneath Moaning Myrtle, who screamed loudly.

00:12:58Water poured everywhere and Harry slipped over as Malfoy, his face contorted, cried

00:13:03Crucia!

00:13:04Sectumsempra!

00:13:05bellowed Harry from the floor, waving his wand wildly.

00:13:09Blood spouted and spurted from Malfoy's face and chest as though he had been slashed with

00:13:14an invisible sword.

00:13:15He staggered backwards and collapsed onto the waterlogged floor with a great splash,

00:13:20his wand falling from his limp right hand.

00:13:22No!

00:13:23Gasped Harry.

00:13:25Slipping and staggering, Harry got to his feet and plunged forwards towards Malfoy,

00:13:30whose face was now shining scarlet, his white hands scrabbling at his blood-soaked chest.

00:13:35No!

00:13:36I didn't!

00:13:37Harry did not know what he was saying.

00:13:39He fell to his knees beside Malfoy, who was shaking uncontrollably in a pool of his own

00:13:44blood.

00:13:45Moaning Myrtle let out a deafening scream.

00:13:47Murder!

00:13:48Murder in the bathroom!

00:13:50Murder!

00:13:51The door banged open again, behind Harry, and he looked up, terrified.

00:13:54Snape had burst into the room, his face livid.

00:13:57Pushing Harry roughly aside, he knelt over Malfoy, drew his wand and traced it over the

00:14:02deep wounds Harry's curse had made, muttering an incantation that sounded almost like song.

00:14:07The flow of blood seemed to ease.

00:14:09Snape wiped the residue from Malfoy's face and repeated his spell.

00:14:13Now the wounds seemed to be knitting.

00:14:15Harry was still watching, horrified by what he had done, barely aware that he too was

00:14:19soaked in blood and water.

00:14:21Moaning Myrtle was still sobbing and wailing overhead.

00:14:24When Snape had performed his counter-curse for a third time, he half-lifted Malfoy into

00:14:28a standing position.

00:14:30You need the hospital wing.

00:14:32There may be a certain amount of scarring, but if you take Dittany immediately, we might

00:14:36avoid even that.

00:14:38Come!

00:14:39He supported Malfoy across the bathroom, turning at the door to say in a voice of cold fury,

00:14:43And you, Potter, you wait here for me.

00:14:47It did not occur to Harry for a second to disobey.

00:14:50He stood up slowly, shaking, and looked down at the wet floor.

00:14:54There were bloodstains floating like crimson flowers across its surface.

00:14:58He could not even find it in himself to tell moaning Myrtle to be quiet as she continued

00:15:02to wail and sob with increasingly evident enjoyment.

00:15:05Snape returned ten minutes later.

00:15:07He stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

00:15:10Go! he said to Myrtle, and she swooped back into her toilet at once, leaving a ringing

00:15:15silence behind her.

00:15:16I didn't mean it to happen, said Harry at once.

00:15:19His voice echoed in the cold, watery space.

00:15:21I didn't know what the spell did.

00:15:24But Snape ignored this.

00:15:25Apparently, I underestimated you, Potter, he said quietly.

00:15:29Who would have thought you knew such dark magic?

00:15:31Who taught you that spell?

00:15:33I read about it somewhere.

00:15:35Where?

00:15:36It was a library book Harry invented wildly.

00:15:39I can't remember what it was called.

00:15:42Liar, said Snape.

00:15:43Harry's throat went dry.

00:15:45He knew what Snape was going to do, and he had never been able to prevent it.

00:15:48The bathroom seemed to shimmer before his eyes.

00:15:51He struggled to black out all thought, but, try as he might, the half-blood prince's copy

00:15:55of advanced potion-making swam hazily to the forefront of his mind.

00:15:59And then he was staring at Snape again, in the midst of this wrecked, soaked bathroom.

00:16:04He stared into Snape's black eyes, hoping against hope that Snape had not seen what

00:16:08he feared.

00:16:09But...

00:16:10Bring me your schoolbag, said Snape softly, and all of your schoolbooks, all of them.

00:16:15Bring them to me here, now.

00:16:18There was no point arguing.

00:16:19Harry turned at once and splashed out of the bathroom.

00:16:22Once in the corridor he broke into a run towards Gryffindor Tower.

00:16:25Most people were walking the other way.

00:16:27They gaped at him, drenched in water and blood, but he answered none of the questions fired

00:16:30at him as he ran past.

00:16:33He felt stunned.

00:16:34It was as though a beloved pet had turned suddenly savage.

00:16:39What had the prince been thinking to copy such a spell into his book, and what would

00:16:42happen when Snape saw it?

00:16:44What would he tell Slughorn?

00:16:45Harry's stomach churned.

00:16:47Now Harry had been achieving such good results in potions all year.

00:16:50Would he confiscate or destroy the book that had taught Harry so much?

00:16:54The book that had become a kind of guide and friend?

00:16:57Harry could not let it happen.

00:16:58He could not.

00:16:59Where are you?

00:17:00Why are you soaking?

00:17:02Is that blood?

00:17:03Ron was standing at the top of the stairs, looking bewildered at the sight of Harry.

00:17:06I need your book, Harry panted.

00:17:08Your potions book.

00:17:09Quick, give it to me.

00:17:11But what about the half-blood?

00:17:12I'll explain later.

00:17:14Ron pulled his copy of Advanced Potion Making out of his bag and handed it over.

00:17:18Harry sprinted off past him and back to the common room.

00:17:20Here he seized his school bag, ignoring the amazed looks of several people who had already

00:17:24finished their dinner, threw himself back out of the portrait hole and hurtled off along

00:17:28the seventh floor corridor.

00:17:30He skidded to a halt beside the tapestry of dancing trolls, closed his eyes and began

00:17:35to walk.

00:17:36I need a place to hide my book.

00:17:38I need a place to hide my book.

00:17:40I need a place to hide my book.

00:17:43Three times he walked up and down in front of the stretch of blank wall.

00:17:46When he opened his eyes, there it was at last.

00:17:49The door to the room of requirement.

00:17:51Harry wrenched it open, flung himself inside and slammed it shut.

00:17:56He gasped.

00:17:57Despite his haste, his panic, his fear of what awaited him back in the bathroom, he

00:18:01could not help but be overawed by what he was looking at.

00:18:04He was standing in a room the size of a large cathedral, whose high windows were sending

00:18:08shafts of light down upon what looked like a city with towering walls, built of what

00:18:13Harry knew must be objects hidden by generations of Hogwarts inhabitants.

00:18:17There were alleyways and roads bordered by teetering piles of broken and damaged furniture,

00:18:22stowed away, perhaps to hide the evidence of mishandled magic, or else hidden by castle-proud

00:18:28house elves.

00:18:29There were thousands and thousands of books, no doubt banned or graffitied or stolen.

00:18:34There were winged catapults and fanged frisbees, some still with enough life in them to hover

00:18:39half-heartedly over the mountains of other forbidden items.

00:18:42There were chipped bottles of congealed potions, hats, jewels, cloaks.

00:18:46There were what looked like dragon-egg shells, corked bottles whose contents still shimmered

00:18:51evilly, several rusting swords and a heavy, blood-stained axe.

00:18:56Harry hurried forwards into one of the many alleyways between all the hidden treasure.

00:19:00He turned right past an enormous stuffed troll, ran on a short way, took a left at the broken,

00:19:05vanishing cabinet in which Montague had got lost the previous year, finally pausing beside

00:19:12a large cupboard which seemed to have had acid thrown at its blistered surface.

00:19:16He opened one of the cupboard's creaking doors.

00:19:19It had already been used as a hiding place for something in a cage that had long since

00:19:23died.

00:19:24Its skeleton had five legs.

00:19:25He stuffed the half-blood prince's book in behind the cage and slammed the door.

00:19:29He paused for a moment, his heart thumping horribly, gazing around at the clutter.

00:19:34Would he be able to find this spot again, amidst all this junk?

00:19:37Seizing the chipped bust of an ugly old warlock from on top of a nearby crate, he stood it

00:19:42on the cupboard where the book was now hidden, perched a dusty old wig and a tarnished tiara

00:19:48on the statue's head to make it more distinctive, and then sprinted back through the alleyways

00:19:52of hidden junk as fast as he could go, back to the door, back out to the corridor where

00:19:57he slammed the door behind him, and it turned at once back into stone.

00:20:02Harry ran flat out towards the bathroom on the floor below, cramming Ron's copy of Advanced

00:20:06Potion Making into his bag as he did so.

00:20:09A minute later, he was back in front of Snape, who held out his hand wordlessly for Harry's

00:20:13schoolbag.

00:20:14Harry handed it over, panting, a searing pain in his chest, and waited.

00:20:19One by one, Snape extracted Harry's books and examined them.

00:20:23Finally, the only book left was the potion's book, which he looked at very carefully before

00:20:29speaking.

00:20:30This is your copy of Advanced Potion Making, is it, Potter?

00:20:34Yes, said Harry, still breathing hard.

00:20:37You're quite sure of that, are you, Potter?

00:20:39Yes, said Harry, with a touch more defiance.

00:20:42This is the copy of Advanced Potion Making that you purchased from Flourish and Blotts.

00:20:47Yes, said Harry firmly.

00:20:48Then why, I asked Snape, does it have the name Runel Wuzlib written inside the front

00:20:53cover?

00:20:54Harry's heart missed a beat.

00:20:56Er, that's my nickname, he said.

00:20:58Your nickname?

00:20:59Repeated Snape.

00:21:00Yeah, that's what my friends call me, said Harry.

00:21:02I understand what a nickname is, said Snape.

00:21:05The cold black eyes were boring once more into Harry's.

00:21:08He tried not to look into them.

00:21:10Close your mind, close your mind, but he had never learned how to do it properly.

00:21:14Do you know what I think, Potter? said Snape very quietly.

00:21:18I think that you are a liar, and a cheat, and that you deserve detention with me every

00:21:22Saturday until the end of term.

00:21:24What do you think, Potter?

00:21:25I don't agree, sir, said Harry, still refusing to look into Snape's eyes.

00:21:30Well, we shall see how you feel after your detentions, said Snape.

00:21:34Ten o'clock Saturday morning, Potter.

00:21:36My office.

00:21:37But sir, said Harry, looking up desperately, Quidditch!

00:21:40The last match of the ten o'clock, whispered Snape, with a smile that showed his yellow

00:21:45teeth.

00:21:46Poor Gryffindor, fourth place this year, I fear.

00:21:50And he left the bathroom without another word, leaving Harry to stare into the cracked mirror,

00:21:55feeling sicker, he was sure, than Ron had ever felt in his life.

00:21:59I won't say I told you so, said Hermione, an hour later in the common room.

00:22:04Leave it, Hermione, said Ron angrily.

00:22:06Harry had never made it to dinner.

00:22:07He had no appetite at all.

00:22:09He had just finished telling Ron, Hermione and Ginny what had happened.

00:22:12Not that there seemed to have been much need.

00:22:14The news had travelled very fast.

00:22:16Apparently Moaning Myrtle had taken it upon herself to pop into every bathroom in the

00:22:20castle to tell the story.

00:22:22Malfoy had already been visited in the hospital wing by Pansy Parkinson, who had lost no time

00:22:26in vilifying Harry far and wide, and Snape had told the staff precisely what had happened.

00:22:32Harry had already been called out of the common room to endure fifteen highly unpleasant

00:22:36minutes in the company of Professor McGonagall, who had told him he was lucky not to have

00:22:39been expelled and that she supported wholeheartedly Snape's punishment of detention every Saturday

00:22:44until the end of term.

00:22:46I told you there was something wrong with that Prince person, Hermione said, evidently

00:22:51unable to stop herself, and I was right, wasn't I?

00:22:54No, I don't think you were, said Harry stubbornly.

00:22:57He was having a bad enough time without Hermione lecturing him.

00:23:00The looks on the Gryffindor team's faces when he had told them he would not be able

00:23:03to play on Saturday had been the worst punishment of all.

00:23:06He could feel Ginny's eyes on him now, but did not meet them.

00:23:10He did not want to see disappointment or anger there.

00:23:13He had just told her that she would be playing Seeker on Saturday, and that Dean would be

00:23:17rejoining the team as chaser in her place.

00:23:20Perhaps if they won, Ginny and Dean would make up during the post-match euphoria.

00:23:23The thought went through Harry like an icy knife.

00:23:26Harry, said Hermione, how can you still stick up for that book, when that spell, will you

00:23:31stop banging or harping on about the book, snapped Harry.

00:23:35The Prince only copied it out, it's not like he was advising anyone to use it.

00:23:39For all we know, he was making a note of something that had been used against him.

00:23:43I don't believe this, said Hermione, you're actually defending.

00:23:46I'm not defending what I did, said Harry quickly.

00:23:49I wish I hadn't done it, and not just because I've got a dozen detentions.

00:23:53You know I wouldn't have used a spell like that, not even on Malfoy.

00:23:56But you can't blame the Prince, he hadn't written, try this out, it's really good.

00:24:00He was just making notes for himself, wasn't he?

00:24:02Not for anyone else.

00:24:03Are you telling me, said Hermione, that you're going to go back and get the book?

00:24:08Yeah I am, said Harry forcefully.

00:24:09Listen, without the Prince, I'd never have won the Felix Felicis, I'd never have known

00:24:13how to save Ron from poisoning, I'd never have got a reputation for potions, brilliance

00:24:18you don't deserve, said Hermione nastily.

00:24:21Give it a rest, Hermione, said Ginny, and Harry was so amazed, so grateful, he looked

00:24:25up.

00:24:26By the sound of it, Malfoy was trying to use an unforgivable curse, you should be glad

00:24:30Harry had something good up his sleeve.

00:24:31Well of course I'm glad Harry wasn't cursed, said Hermione, clearly stunned, but you can't

00:24:36call that Sectumsempra spell good, Ginny, look where it's landed him.

00:24:40And I'd have thought, seeing what this has done to your chances in the match, oh don't

00:24:44start acting as though you understand Quidditch, snapped Ginny, you'll only embarrass yourself.

00:24:50Harry and Ron stared.

00:24:52Hermione and Ginny, who had always got on together very well, were now sitting with

00:24:55their arms folded, glaring in opposite directions.

00:24:58Ron looked nervously at Harry and then snatched up a book at random and hid behind it.

00:25:02Harry however, though he knew he little deserved it, felt unbelievably cheerful all of a sudden,

00:25:07even though none of them spoke again for the rest of the evening.

00:25:10His light-heartedness was short-lived, there were slibbering taunts to be endured next

00:25:14day, not to mention much anger from fellow Gryffindors who were most unhappy that their

00:25:18captain had got himself banned from the final match of the season.

00:25:22By Saturday morning, whatever he might have told Hermione, Harry would have gladly exchanged

00:25:27all the Felix Felicis in the world to be walking down to the Quidditch pitch with Ron, Ginny

00:25:31and the others.

00:25:32It was almost unbearable to turn away from the massive students streaming out into the

00:25:36sunshine, all of them wearing rosettes and hats and brandishing banners and scarves,

00:25:40to descend the stone steps into the dungeons and walk until the distant sounds of the crowd

00:25:45were quite obliterated, knowing that he would not be able to hear a word of commentary or

00:25:49a cheer or a groan.

00:25:51Ah, Potter, said Snape, when Harry had knocked on the door and entered the unpleasantly familiar

00:25:56office that Snape, despite teaching floors above now, had not vacated.

00:26:01It was as dimly lit as ever and the same slimy dead objects were suspended in coloured potions

00:26:05all around the walls.

00:26:07Ominously, there were many cobweb boxes piled on a table where Harry was clearly supposed

00:26:11to sit.

00:26:12They had an aura of tedious, hard and pointless work about them.

00:26:16Mr Filch has been looking for someone to clear out these old files, said Snape softly.

00:26:22They are the records of other Hogwarts wrongdoers and their punishments.

00:26:26Where the ink has grown faint or their cards have suffered damage from mice, we would like

00:26:30you to copy out the crimes and punishments afresh, and making sure that they are in alphabetical

00:26:35order, replace them in the boxes.

00:26:38You will not use magic.

00:26:39Right, Professor, said Harry, with as much contempt as he could put into the last three

00:26:44syllables.

00:26:45I thought you could start, said Snape, a malicious smile on his lips, with boxes 1012 to 1056.

00:26:54You will find some familiar names in there which should add interest to the task.

00:26:59Here, you see, he pulled out a card from one of the topmost boxes with a flourish in red.

00:27:04James Potter and Sirius Black apprehended using an illegal hex upon Bertram Aubrey.

00:27:11Aubrey's head twice normal size, double detention.

00:27:16Snape seared.

00:27:17It must be such a comfort to think that, though they are gone, a record of their great achievements

00:27:21remains.

00:27:23Harry felt the familiar boiling sensation in the pit of his stomach.

00:27:26Biting his tongue to prevent himself retaliating, he sat down in front of the boxes and pulled

00:27:31one towards him.

00:27:32It was, as Harry had anticipated, useless, boring work, punctuated, as Snape had clearly

00:27:37planned, with the regular jolt in the stomach that meant he had just read his father or

00:27:41Sirius's names, usually coupled together in various petty misdeeds, occasionally accompanied

00:27:47by those of Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, and while he copied out all their various

00:27:52offences and punishments, he wondered what was going on outside, where the match would

00:27:56have just started, Ginny playing seeker against Cho.

00:28:00Harry glanced again and again at the large clock ticking on the wall.

00:28:03It seemed to be moving half as fast as a regular clock.

00:28:07Perhaps Snape had bewitched it to go extra slowly.

00:28:09He could not have been here for only half an hour.

00:28:12An hour!

00:28:13An hour and a half!

00:28:14Harry's stomach started rumbling when the clock showed half past twelve.

00:28:18Snape, who had not spoken at all since setting Harry his task, finally looked up at ten past

00:28:23one.

00:28:24I think that will do, he said coldly.

00:28:27Mark the place you have reached.

00:28:29You will continue at ten o'clock next Saturday.

00:28:32Yes, sir.

00:28:33Harry stuffed a bent card into the box at random and hurried out of the door before

00:28:37Snape could change his mind, racing back up the stone steps, straining his ears to hear

00:28:42a sound from the pitch, but all was quiet.

00:28:44It was over then.

00:28:46He hesitated outside the crowded great hall, then ran up the marble staircase.

00:28:50Whether Gryffindor had won or lost, the team usually celebrated or commiserated in their

00:28:54own common room.

00:28:56Quid agis, he said tentatively to the fat lady, wondering what he would find inside.

00:29:01Her expression was unreadable as she replied, You'll see, and she swung forwards.

00:29:06A roar of celebration erupted from the hall behind her.

00:29:10Harry gaped as people began to scream at the sight of him.

00:29:13Several hands pulled him into the room.

00:29:14We won! yelled Ron, bounding into sight and brandishing the silver cup at Harry.

00:29:19We won!

00:29:20Four hundred and fifty to a hundred and forty.

00:29:22We won!

00:29:23Harry looked around.

00:29:24There was Ginny running towards him.

00:29:26She had a hard, blazing look in her face as she threw her arms around him, and without

00:29:30thinking, without planning it, without worrying about the fact that fifty people were watching,

00:29:35Harry kissed her.

00:29:36After several long moments, or it might have been half an hour or possibly several sunlit

00:29:41days, they broke apart.

00:29:43The room had gone very quiet.

00:29:45Then several people wolf-whistled and there was an outbreak of nervous giggling.

00:29:48Harry looked over the top of Ginny's head to see Dean Thomas holding a shattered glass

00:29:52in his hand and Remilda Vane looking as though she might throw something.

00:29:56Hermione was beaming, but Harry's eyes sought Ron.

00:29:59At last he found him, still clutching the cup and wearing an expression appropriate

00:30:03to having been clubbed over the head.

00:30:05For a fraction of a second they looked at each other.

00:30:08Then Ron gave a tiny jerk of the head that Harry understood to mean, well, if you must.

00:30:13The creature in his chest roaring in triumph, Harry grinned down at Ginny and gestured wordlessly

00:30:18out of the portrait hall.

00:30:20A long walk in the ground seemed indicated, during which, if they had time, they might

00:30:25discuss the match.

00:30:28Chapter 25 The Seer Overheard

00:30:31The fact that Harry Potter was going out with Ginny Weasley seemed to interest a great number

00:30:35of people, most of them girls, yet Harry found himself newly and happily impervious to gossip

00:30:40over the next few weeks.

00:30:42After all, it made a very nice change to be talked about because of something that was

00:30:45making him happier than he could remember being for a very long time, rather than because

00:30:49he had been involved in horrific scenes of dark magic.

00:30:53You'd think people had better things to gossip about, said Ginny, as she sat on the

00:30:57common room floor, leaning against Harry's legs and reading the Daily Prophet.

00:31:01Three Dementor attacks in a week, and all Emile Devane does is ask me if it's true

00:31:05you've got a hippogriff tattooed across your chest.

00:31:08Ron and Hermione both roared with laughter.

00:31:11Harry ignored them.

00:31:12What did you tell her?

00:31:13I told her it's a Hungarian horn tale, said Ginny, turning a page of the newspaper idly.

00:31:18Much more macho.

00:31:19Thanks, said Harry, grinning.

00:31:20And what did you tell her Ron's got?

00:31:22A pygmy puff, but I didn't say where.

00:31:25Ron scowled as Hermione rolled around laughing.

00:31:27Watch it, he said, pointing warningly at Harry and Ginny.

00:31:31Just because I've given my permission doesn't mean I can't withdraw it.

00:31:34Your permission, scoffed Ginny.

00:31:36Since when did you give me permission to do anything?

00:31:38Anyway, you said yourself you'd rather it was Harry than Michael or Dean.

00:31:42Yeah, I would, said Ron, grudgingly.

00:31:44And just as long as you don't start snogging each other in public.

00:31:47You filthy hypocrite.

00:31:49What about you and Lavender, thrashing around like a pair of eels all over the place, demanded

00:31:53Ginny.

00:31:54But Ron's tolerance was not to be tested much, as they moved into June, for Harry and

00:31:58Ginny's time together was becoming increasingly restricted.

00:32:01Ginny's owls were approaching, and she was therefore forced to revise for hours into

00:32:05the night.

00:32:06On one such evening, when Ginny had retired to the library, and Harry was sitting beside

00:32:10the window in the common room, supposedly finishing his herbology homework, but in reality

00:32:15reliving a particularly happy hour he had spent down by the lake with Ginny at lunchtime,

00:32:20Hermione dropped into the seat between him and Ron, with an unpleasantly purposeful look

00:32:23on her face.

00:32:24I want to talk to you, Harry.

00:32:26What about, said Harry, suspiciously.

00:32:28Only the previous day, Hermione had told him off for distracting Ginny when she ought to

00:32:32be working hard for her examinations.

00:32:35The so-called Half-Blood Prince.

00:32:37Oh, not again, he groaned.

00:32:39Will you please drop it?

00:32:41He had not dared to return to the Room of Requirement to retrieve his book, and his

00:32:45performance in potions was suffering accordingly, though Slughorn, who approved of Ginny, had

00:32:49jocularly attributed this to Harry being lovesick, but Harry was sure that Snape had not yet

00:32:54given up hope of laying hands on the Prince's book, and was determined to leave it where

00:32:59it was while Snape remained on the lookout.

00:33:01I'm not dropping it, said Hermione firmly, until you've heard me out.

00:33:05Now I've been trying to find out a bit about who might make a hobby of inventing dark spells.

00:33:11He didn't make a hobby of it.

00:33:13He, he, who says it's a he?

00:33:15We've been through this, said Harry Crossley.

00:33:17Prince, Hermione, Prince.

00:33:19Right, said Hermione, red patches blazing in her cheeks as she pulled a very old piece

00:33:24of newsprint out of her pocket and slammed it down on the table in front of Harry.

00:33:28Look at that.

00:33:29Look at the picture.

00:33:30Harry picked up the crumbling piece of paper and stared at the moving photograph.

00:33:34Yellowed with age, Ron leaned over for a look too.

00:33:37The picture showed a skinny girl of around fifteen.

00:33:40She was not pretty.

00:33:41She looked simultaneously cross and sullen, with heavy brows and a long, pallid face.

00:33:45Underneath the photograph was the caption, Eileen Prince, captain of the Hogwarts Gobstones

00:33:51team.

00:33:52So, said Harry, scanning the short news item to which the picture belonged, it was a rather

00:33:56dull story about inter-school competitions.

00:33:59Her name was Eileen Prince.

00:34:01Prince, Harry.

00:34:02They looked at each other and Harry realised what Hermione was trying to say.

00:34:06He burst out laughing.

00:34:07No way!

00:34:08What?

00:34:09She was the half-blood?

00:34:10Oh, come on!

00:34:11Well, why not, Harry?

00:34:12There aren't any real princes in the wizarding world.

00:34:16It's either a nickname, a made-up title somebody's given themselves, or it could

00:34:20be their actual name, couldn't it?

00:34:21No, listen.

00:34:22If, say, her father was a wizard, whose surname was Prince, and her mother was a muggle, then

00:34:28that would make her a half-blood prince.

00:34:30Yeah.

00:34:31Very ingenious, Hermione.

00:34:32But it would.

00:34:33Maybe she was proud of being a half-a-prince.

00:34:35Listen, Hermione.

00:34:37I can tell it's not a girl.

00:34:38I can just tell.

00:34:39The truth is that you don't think a girl would have been clever enough, said Hermione

00:34:43angrily.

00:34:44How can I have hung around with you for five years and not think girls are clever, said

00:34:47Harry, stung by this.

00:34:49It's the way he writes.

00:34:50I just know the prince was a bloke, I can tell.

00:34:53This girl hasn't got anything to do with it.

00:34:55Where did you get this, anyway?

00:34:56The library, said Hermione predictably.

00:34:58There's a whole collection of old prophets up there.

00:35:00Well, I'm going to find out more about Eileen Prince if I can.

00:35:04Enjoy yourself, said Harry irritably.

00:35:06I will, said Hermione.

00:35:07And the first place I'll look, she shot at him as she reached the portrait hall, is records

00:35:11of old potions awards.

00:35:14Harry scowled after her for a moment and then continued his contemplation of the darkening

00:35:18sky.

00:35:19She's just never got over you outperforming her in potions, said Ron, returning to his

00:35:24copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.

00:35:27You don't think I'm mad, wanting that book back, do you?

00:35:30Course not, said Ron robustly.

00:35:32He was a genius, the prince.

00:35:33Anyway, without his bazaar tip, he drew his finger significantly across his own throat.

00:35:38I wouldn't be here to discuss it, would I?

00:35:40I mean, I'm not saying that spell you used on Malfoy was great.

00:35:43Nor am I, said Harry quickly.

00:35:45But he healed all right, didn't he?

00:35:46Back on his feet in no time.

00:35:48Yes, said Harry.

00:35:49This was perfectly true, although his conscience squirmed slightly all the time.

00:35:54Thanks to Snape.

00:35:55You've still got detention with Snape this Saturday, Ron continued.

00:35:59Yeah, and the Saturday after that, and the Saturday after that, sighed Harry.

00:36:03And he's hinting now that if I don't get all the boxes done by the end of term, we'll

00:36:06carry on next year.

00:36:08He was finding these detentions particularly irksome because they cut into the already

00:36:12limited time he could have been spending with Ginny.

00:36:15Indeed, he had frequently wondered lately whether Snape did not know this, for he was

00:36:19keeping Harry later and later every time, while making pointed asides about Harry having

00:36:23to miss the good weather and the varied opportunities it offered.

00:36:27Harry was shaken from these bitter reflections by the appearance at his side of Jimmy Peakes,

00:36:32who was holding out a scroll of parchment.

00:36:35Thanks, Jimmy.

00:36:36Hey, it's from Dumbledore, said Harry excitedly, unrolling the parchment and scanning it.

00:36:40He wants me to go to his office, as quick as I can.

00:36:43They stared at each other.

00:36:44Blimey, whispered Ron.

00:36:45You don't reckon...

00:36:46He hasn't found...

00:36:47Better go and see, hadn't I, said Harry, jumping to his feet.

00:36:51He hurried out of the common room and along the seventh floor as fast as he could, passing

00:36:55nobody but Peeves, who swooped past in the opposite direction, throwing bits of chalk

00:36:59at Harry in a routine sort of way, and cackling loudly as he dodged Harry's defensive jinx.

00:37:05Once Peeves had vanished, there was silence in the corridors, with only fifteen minutes

00:37:08left until curfew.

00:37:10Most people had already returned to their common rooms.

00:37:12And then Harry heard a scream and a crash.

00:37:15He stopped in his tracks, listening.

00:37:16How dare you!

00:37:18Argh!

00:37:19The noise was coming from a corridor nearby.

00:37:21Harry sprinted towards it, his wand at the ready, hurtled around another corner and saw

00:37:25Professor Trelawney sprawled upon the floor.

00:37:28Her head covered in one of her many shawls, several sherry bottles lying beside her, one

00:37:33broken.

00:37:34Professor!

00:37:35Harry hurried forwards and helped Professor Trelawney to her feet.

00:37:38Some of her glittering beads had become entangled with her glasses.

00:37:42She hiccuped loudly, patted her hair and pulled herself up to Harry's helping arm.

00:37:47What happened, Professor?

00:37:48You may well ask, she said shrilly.

00:37:51I was strolling along, brooding upon certain dark portents I happened to have glimpsed.

00:37:57Harry was not paying much attention.

00:37:59He had just noticed where they were standing.

00:38:01There, on the right, was the tapestry of dancing trolls, and on the left, that smoothly impenetrable

00:38:06stretch of stone wall that concealed...

00:38:09Professor, were you trying to get into the Room of Requirement?

00:38:13Omens!

00:38:14I have been vouchsafed!

00:38:16What?

00:38:17She looked suddenly shifty.

00:38:18The Room of Requirement, repeated Harry.

00:38:20Were you trying to get in there?

00:38:22I...

00:38:23I didn't know students knew about...

00:38:25Not all of them do, said Harry.

00:38:27But what happened?

00:38:28You screamed.

00:38:29It sounded as though you were hurt.

00:38:30I...

00:38:31Well, said Professor Trelawney, drawing her shawls around her defensively, and staring

00:38:34down at him with her vastly magnified eyes.

00:38:37I wish to, uh, deposit certain, um, personal items in the room.

00:38:41And she muttered something about nasty accusations.

00:38:44Right, said Harry, glancing down at the sherry bottles.

00:38:47But you couldn't get in and hide them?

00:38:49He found this very odd.

00:38:50The room had opened for him, after all, when he had wanted to hide the Half-Blood Prince's

00:38:53book.

00:38:54I got in, all right, said Professor Trelawney, glaring at the wall.

00:38:58But there was somebody already in there.

00:39:00Somebody in?

00:39:01Who?

00:39:02Demanded Harry.

00:39:03Who was in there?

00:39:04I have no idea, said Professor Trelawney, looking slightly taken aback at the urgency

00:39:08in Harry's voice.

00:39:09I walked into the room, and I heard a voice, which has never happened before in all my

00:39:13years of hiding, or using, the room, I mean.

00:39:17A voice?

00:39:18Saying what?

00:39:19I don't know that it was saying anything, said Professor Trelawney.

00:39:22It was...

00:39:23It was whooping.

00:39:24Whooping?

00:39:25Gleefully, she said, nodding.

00:39:27Harry stared at her.

00:39:28Was it male or female?

00:39:29I would hazard a guess at male, said Professor Trelawney.

00:39:32It sounded happy.

00:39:34Very happy, said Professor Trelawney, sniffily, as though it was celebrating.

00:39:38Most definitely.

00:39:40And then...

00:39:41And then I called out, who's there?

00:39:43You couldn't have found out who it was without asking, Harry asked her, slightly frustrated.

00:39:47The inner eye, said Professor Trelawney, with dignity, straightening her shawls and many

00:39:52strands of glittering beads.

00:39:54It was fixed upon matters well outside the mundane realms of whooping voices.

00:39:58Right, said Harry, hastily.

00:40:00He had heard about Professor Trelawney's inner eye all too often before.

00:40:04And did your...

00:40:05Did the voice say who was there?

00:40:07No, it did not, she said.

00:40:09Everything went pinch-black, and the next thing I knew, I was being hurled head-first

00:40:13out of the room.

00:40:14And you didn't see that coming, said Harry, unable to help himself.

00:40:17No, I did not.

00:40:19As I say, it was a...

00:40:20It was pitch, she stopped and glared at him suspiciously.

00:40:23I think you'd better tell Professor Dumbledore, said Harry.

00:40:26He ought to know Malfoy's celebrating.

00:40:28I mean, that someone threw you out of the room.

00:40:30To his surprise, Professor Trelawney drew herself up at this suggestion, looking haughty.

00:40:37The Headmaster has intimated that he would prefer fewer visits from me, she said coldly.

00:40:42I am not one to press my company upon those who do not value it.

00:40:45If Dumbledore chooses to ignore the warnings, the cards show...

00:40:49Her bony hand closed suddenly around Harry's wrist.

00:40:52Again and again, no matter how I lay them out.

00:40:55And she pulled a card dramatically from underneath her shawls.

00:40:59The lightning struck Tower, she whispered.

00:41:01Calamity.

00:41:02Disaster.

00:41:03Coming nearer all the time.

00:41:05Right, said Harry again.

00:41:06Well, I still think you should tell Dumbledore about the voice and everything going dark

00:41:10and being thrown out of the room.

00:41:12You think so?

00:41:13Professor Trelawney seemed to consider the matter for a moment, but Harry could tell

00:41:16that she liked the idea of retelling her little adventure.

00:41:20I'm going to see him right now, said Harry.

00:41:22I've got a meeting with him.

00:41:23We could go together.

00:41:24Oh, well, in that case, said Professor Trelawney with a smile.

00:41:28She bent down, scooped up her sherry bottles, and dumped them unceremoniously in a large

00:41:32blue and white vase standing in a nearby niche.

00:41:36I miss having you in my classes, Harry, she said soulfully, as they set off together.

00:41:40You were never much of a seer, but you were a wonderful object.

00:41:45Harry did not reply.

00:41:46He had loathed being the object of Professor Trelawney's continual predictions of doom.

00:41:51I'm afraid, she went on, that the nag, I'm sorry, the centaur, knows nothing of cartomancy.

00:41:57I asked him, one seer to another, had he not too sensed the distant vibrations of coming

00:42:03catastrophe?

00:42:04But he seemed to find me almost comical.

00:42:06Yes, comical.

00:42:07Her voice was rather hysterical, and Harry caught a powerful whiff of sherry, even though

00:42:12the bottles had been left behind.

00:42:14Perhaps the horse has heard people say that I have not inherited my great-great-grandmother's

00:42:18gift.

00:42:19Those rumours have been bandied about by the jealous for years.

00:42:22You know what I say to such people, Harry?

00:42:24Would Dumbledore have let me teach at this great school?

00:42:27Put so much trust in me all these years, had I not proved myself to him?

00:42:32Harry mumbled something indistinct.

00:42:34I will remember my first interview with Dumbledore, went on Professor Trelawney in froaty tones.

00:42:39He was deeply impressed, of course, deeply impressed.

00:42:42I was staying at the Hog's Head, which I do not advise, incidentally.

00:42:46Dead bugs, dear boy, but funds were low.

00:42:50Dumbledore did me the courtesy of calling upon me in my room at the inn.

00:42:53He questioned me.

00:42:54I must confess that at first I thought he seemed ill-disposed towards divination, and

00:42:58remember I was starting to feel a little odd.

00:43:00I had not eaten much that day.

00:43:02But then—and now Harry was paying attention properly for the first time, for he knew what

00:43:07had happened then.

00:43:08Professor Trelawney had made the prophecy that had altered the course of his whole life,

00:43:12the prophecy about him and Voldemort.

00:43:15But then we were rudely interrupted by Severus Snape.

00:43:19What?

00:43:20Yes, there was a commotion outside the door and it flew open, and there was that rather

00:43:24uncouth barman standing with Snape, who was waffling without having come the wrong way

00:43:28up the stairs, although I am afraid that I myself rather thought he had been apprehended,

00:43:34eavesdropping on my interview with Dumbledore.

00:43:37You see, he himself was seeking a job at the time, and no doubt hoped to pick up tips.

00:43:42Well, after that, you know, Dumbledore seemed much more disposed to give me a job, and I

00:43:46could not help thinking, Harry, that it was because he appreciated the stark contrast

00:43:50between my own unassuming manners and quiet talent compared to the pushing, thrusting

00:43:55young man who was prepared to listen at keyholes.

00:43:58Harry, dear—she looked back over her shoulder, having only just realised that Harry was no

00:44:03longer with her.

00:44:04He had stopped walking, and they were now ten feet from each other.

00:44:08Harry, she repeated uncertainly.

00:44:10Perhaps his face was white, to make her look so unconcerned and frightened.

00:44:15Harry was standing stock still as waves of shock crashed over him, wave after wave, obliterating

00:44:22everything except for information that had been kept from him for so long.

00:44:26It was Snape who had overheard the prophecy.

00:44:29It was Snape who had carried the news of the prophecy to Voldemort.

00:44:33Snape and Peter Pettigrew together had sent Voldemort hunting after Lily and James and

00:44:37their son.

00:44:39Nothing else mattered to Harry just now.

00:44:41Harry, said Professor Trelawney again, Harry, I thought we were going to see the Headmaster

00:44:45together.

00:44:46You stay here, said Harry through numb lips.

00:44:48But dear, I was going to tell him how I was assaulted in the room of—

00:44:52You stay here, Harry repeated angrily.

00:44:54She looked alarmed as he ran past her, round the corner into Dumbledore's corridor, where

00:44:59the lone gargoyle stood sentry.

00:45:01Harry shouted the password at the gargoyle and ran up the moving spiral staircase, three

00:45:05steps at a time.

00:45:06He did not knock upon Dumbledore's door.

00:45:09He hammered, and the calm voice answered, Enter, after Harry had already flung himself

00:45:13into the room.

00:45:15Fawkes the Phoenix looked around, the bright black eyes gleaming with reflected gold from

00:45:20the sunset beyond the window.

00:45:22Dumbledore was standing at the window, looking out at the grounds, a long black travelling

00:45:25cloak in his arms.

00:45:27Well, Harry, I promised that you would come with me.

00:45:30For a moment or two, Harry did not understand.

00:45:33The conversation with Trelawney had driven everything else out of his head, and his brain

00:45:37seemed to be moving very slowly.

00:45:39Come with you.

00:45:40Only if you wish it, of course.

00:45:42If I—

00:45:43And then Harry remembered why he had been eager to come to Dumbledore's office in the

00:45:46first place.

00:45:47You've found one.

00:45:48You've found a horcrux.

00:45:50I believe so.

00:45:51Rage and resentment fought shock and excitement for several moments.

00:45:56Harry could not speak.

00:45:57It's natural to be afraid, said Dumbledore.

00:46:00I'm not scared, said Harry at once.

00:46:03And it was perfectly true.

00:46:04Fear was one emotion he was not feeling at all.

00:46:07Which horcrux is it?

00:46:08Where is it?

00:46:09I'm not sure which it is, though I think we can rule out the snake.

00:46:13But I believe it to be hidden in a cave on the coast many miles from here.

00:46:17A cave I have been trying to locate for a very long time.

00:46:20The cave in which Tom Riddle once terrorized two children from his orphanage on their annual

00:46:25trip.

00:46:26You remember?

00:46:27Yes, said Harry.

00:46:28How is it protected?

00:46:29I do not know.

00:46:30I have suspicions that may be entirely wrong.

00:46:34Dumbledore hesitated and then said, Harry, I promised you that you could come with me

00:46:38and I stand by that promise.

00:46:40But it would be very wrong of me not to warn you that this will be exceedingly dangerous.

00:46:45I'm coming, said Harry, almost before Dumbledore had finished speaking, boiling with anger

00:46:50at Snape.

00:46:51His desire to do something desperate and risky had increased tenfold in the last few minutes.

00:46:55This seemed to show on Harry's face for Dumbledore moved away from the window and looked more

00:46:59closely at Harry, a slight crease between his silver eyebrows.

00:47:04What has happened to you?

00:47:05Nothing, lied Harry promptly.

00:47:08What has upset you?

00:47:09I'm not upset.

00:47:10Harry, you were never a good occulament.

00:47:14The word was the spark that ignited Harry's fury.

00:47:17Snape, he said very loudly, and Forks gave a soft squawk behind them.

00:47:21Snape's what's happened.

00:47:22He told Voldemort about the prophecy.

00:47:24It was him.

00:47:25He listened outside the door.

00:47:27Trelawney told me.

00:47:29Dumbledore's expression did not change, but Harry thought his face whitened under the

00:47:33bloody tinge cast by the setting sun.

00:47:36For a long moment, Dumbledore said nothing.

00:47:39When did you find out about this? he asked at last.

00:47:43Just now, said Harry, who was refraining from yelling with enormous difficulty, and then

00:47:47suddenly he could not stop himself.

00:47:49And you let him teach here, and he told Voldemort to go after my mum and dad.

00:47:54Breathing hard, as though he was fighting, Harry turned away from Dumbledore, who still

00:47:58had not moved a muscle, and paced up and down the study, rubbing his knuckles in his

00:48:03hand and exercising every last bit of restraint to prevent himself knocking things over.

00:48:08He wanted to rage and storm at Dumbledore, but he also wanted to go with him to try and

00:48:12destroy the Horcrux.

00:48:14He wanted to tell him he was a foolish old man for trusting Snape, but he was terrified

00:48:19that Dumbledore would not take him along unless he mastered his anger.

00:48:22Harry, said Dumbledore quietly, please listen to me.

00:48:26It was as difficult to stop his relentless pacing as to refrain from shouting.

00:48:30Harry paused, biting his lip, and looked into Dumbledore's lined face.

00:48:35Professor Snape made a terrible...

00:48:37Don't tell me it was a mistake, sir.

00:48:39He was listening at the door.

00:48:41Please let me finish, Dumbledore waited until Harry had nodded curtly, and then went on.

00:48:46Professor Snape made a terrible mistake.

00:48:48He was still in Lord Voldemort's employ on the night he heard the first half of Professor

00:48:53Trelawney's prophecy.

00:48:55Naturally, he hastened to tell his master what he had heard, for it concerned his master

00:49:00most deeply.

00:49:01But he did not know.

00:49:02He had no possible way of knowing which boy Voldemort would hunt from then onwards, or

00:49:07that the parents he would destroy in his murderous quest were people that Professor Snape knew,

00:49:13that they were your mother and father.

00:49:15Harry let out a yell of mirthless laughter.

00:49:18He hated my dad like he hated Sirius.

00:49:20Haven't you noticed, Professor, how the people Snape hates tend to end up dead?

00:49:25You have no idea of the remorse Professor Snape felt when he realised how Lord Voldemort

00:49:30had interpreted the prophecy.

00:49:31Harry, I believe it to be the greatest regret of his life, and the reason that he returned.

00:49:36But he's a very good occupant, isn't he, sir?

00:49:39said Harry, whose voice was shaking with the effort of keeping it steady.

00:49:43And isn't Voldemort convinced that Snape's on his side, even now?

00:49:46Professor, how can you be sure Snape's on our side?

00:49:50Dumbledore did not speak for a moment.

00:49:52He looked as though he was trying to make up his mind about something.

00:49:55At last he said, I'm sure.

00:49:57I trust Severus Snape completely.

00:50:00Harry breathed deeply for a few moments, in an effort to steady himself.

00:50:03It did not work.

00:50:05Well, I don't, he said, as loudly as before.

00:50:08He's up to something with Draco Malfoy right now, right under your nose, and you still...

00:50:12We have discussed this, Harry, said Dumbledore, and now he sounded stern again.

00:50:17I have told you my views.

00:50:19You're leaving the school tonight, and I'll bet you haven't even considered that Snape

00:50:22and Malfoy might decide to...

00:50:24To what?

00:50:25asked Dumbledore, his eyebrows raised.

00:50:27What is it that you suspect them of doing, precisely?

00:50:30Aye, they're up to something, said Harry, and his hands curled into fists as he said it.

00:50:35Professor Trelawney was just in the room of requirement, trying to hide her sherry bottles,

00:50:39and she heard Malfoy whooping, celebrating.

00:50:42He's trying to mend something dangerous in there, and if you ask me, he's fixed it at last.

00:50:46And you're about to just walk out of school without...

00:50:48Enough, said Dumbledore.

00:50:50He said it quite calmly, and yet Harry fell silent at once.

00:50:53He knew that he had finally crossed some invisible line.

00:50:56Do you think that I have once left the school unprotected during my absences this year?

00:51:00I have not.

00:51:01Tonight, when I leave, there will again be additional protection in place.

00:51:05Please do not suggest that I do not take the safety of my students seriously, Harry.

00:51:10I didn't, mumbled Harry, a little abashed, but Dumbledore cut across him.

00:51:14I do not wish to discuss the matter any further.

00:51:17Harry bit back his retort, scared that he had gone too far,

00:51:21that he had ruined his chance of accompanying Dumbledore, but Dumbledore went on.

00:51:25Do you wish to come with me tonight?

00:51:26Yes, said Harry at once.

00:51:28Very well, then.

00:51:29Listen.

00:51:31Dumbledore drew himself up to his full height.

00:51:33I take you with me on one condition, that you obey any command I might give you at once,

00:51:38and without question.

00:51:40Of course.

00:51:41Be sure to understand me, Harry.

00:51:42I mean that you must follow even such orders as run, hide, or go back.

00:51:47Do I have your word?

00:51:49I—yes, of course.

00:51:50If I tell you to hide, you will do so.

00:51:53Yes.

00:51:54If I tell you to flee, you will obey.

00:51:56Yes.

00:51:57If I tell you to leave me and save yourself, you will do as I tell you.

00:52:01I—Harry—

00:52:02They looked at each other for a moment.

00:52:04Yes, sir.

00:52:05Very good.

00:52:06Then I wish you to go and fetch your cloak and meet me in the entrance hall in five minutes' time.

00:52:12Dumbledore turned back to look out of the fiery window.

00:52:14The sun was now a ruby-red glare along the horizon.

00:52:19Harry walked quickly from the office and down the spiral staircase.

00:52:22His mind was oddly clear all of a sudden.

00:52:24He knew what to do.

00:52:25Ron and Hermione were sitting together in the common room when he came back.

00:52:28What does Dumbledore want?

00:52:30Hermione said at once.

00:52:31Harry, are you okay?

00:52:32She added anxiously.

00:52:34I'm fine, said Harry shortly, racing past them.

00:52:37He dashed up the stairs and into his dormitory,

00:52:39where he flung open his trunk and pulled out the Marauder's Map and a pair of balled-up socks.

00:52:43Then he sped back down the stairs and into the common room,

00:52:46skidding to a halt where Ron and Hermione sat, looking stunned.

00:52:49I haven't got much time, Harry panted.

00:52:52Dumbledore thinks I'm getting my invisibility cloak.

00:52:54Listen.

00:52:55Quickly he told them where he was going and why.

00:52:57He did not pause either for Hermione's gasps of horror or for Ron's hasty questions.

00:53:02They could work out the finer details for themselves later.

00:53:06So you see.

00:53:07You see what this means.

00:53:09Harry finished at a gallop.

00:53:10Dumbledore won't be here tonight,

00:53:12so Malfoy's going to have another clear shot at whatever he's up to.

00:53:15No, listen to me, he hissed angrily,

00:53:17as both Ron and Hermione showed every sign of interrupting.

00:53:20I know it was Malfoy celebrating in the Room of Requirement.

00:53:23Here, he shoved the Marauder's Map into Hermione's hand.

00:53:27You've got to watch him, and you've got to watch Snape too.

00:53:30Use anyone else you can rustle up from the DA.

00:53:32Hermione, those contact galleons will still work, right?

00:53:37Dumbledore says he's put extra protection in the school,

00:53:39but if Snape's involved, he'll know what Dumbledore's protection is and how to avoid it.

00:53:43But he won't be expecting you lot to be on the watch, will he?

00:53:46Harry, began Hermione, her eyes huge with fear.

00:53:49Haven't got time to argue, said Harry curtly.

00:53:52This?

00:53:53Take this as well.

00:53:54He frosted the socks into Ron's hands.

00:53:56Thanks, said Ron.

00:53:57Er, why do I need socks?

00:53:59You need what's wrapped in them.

00:54:01It's the Felix Felicis.

00:54:02Share it between yourselves and Ginny too.

00:54:04Say goodbye to her from me.

00:54:06I'd better go.

00:54:07Dumbledore's waiting.

00:54:08No, said Hermione, as Ron unwrapped the tiny little bottle of golden potion, looking awestruck.

00:54:14We don't want it.

00:54:15You take it.

00:54:15Who knows what you're going to be facing.

00:54:17I'll be fine.

00:54:18I'll be with Dumbledore, said Harry.

00:54:20I want to know you lot are okay.

00:54:22Don't look like that, Hermione.

00:54:23I'll see you later.

00:54:24And he was off, hurrying back through the portrait hole towards the entrance hall.

00:54:28Dumbledore was waiting beside the oaken front doors.

00:54:31He turned as Harry came skidding out onto the topmost stone step, panting hard, a searing

00:54:38stitch in his side.

00:54:39I would like you to wear your cloak, please, said Dumbledore, and he waited until Harry

00:54:44had thrown it on before saying, Very good.

00:54:46Shall we go?

00:54:48Dumbledore set off at once down the stone steps, his own travelling cloak barely stirring

00:54:53in the still summer air.

00:54:54Harry hurried alongside him under the invisibility cloak, still panting and sweating rather a

00:54:59lot.

00:55:00But what will people think when they see you leaving, Professor?

00:55:04Harry asked, his mind on Malfoy and Snape.

00:55:06That I am off into Hogsmeade for a drink, said Dumbledore lightly.

00:55:10I sometimes offer Rosmer to my custom, or else visit the Hogshead, or I appear to.

00:55:15It is as good a way as any of disguising one's true destination.

00:55:19They made their way down the drive in the gathering twilight.

00:55:23The air was full of the smells of warm grass, like water and wood smoke from Hagrid's cabin.

00:55:28It was difficult to believe that they were heading for anything dangerous or frightening.

00:55:31Professor, said Harry quietly, as the gates at the bottom of the drive came into view.

00:55:36Will we be apparating?

00:55:38Yes, said Dumbledore.

00:55:39You can apparate now, I believe.

00:55:41Yes, said Harry, but I haven't got a licence.

00:55:43He felt it best to be honest.

00:55:45What if he spoiled everything by turning up a hundred miles from where he was supposed

00:55:48to go?

00:55:49No matter, said Dumbledore.

00:55:51I can assist you again.

00:55:53They turned out of the gates into the twilight.

00:55:55Deserted Lane to Hogsmeade

00:55:58Darkness descended fast as they walked, and by the time they reached the high street,

00:56:02night was falling in earnest.

00:56:04Lights twinkled from windows over shops, and as they neared the free broomsticks,

00:56:08they heard Rorker shouting.

00:56:10And stay out, shouted Madame Rosmerter, forcibly ejecting a grubby-looking wizard.

00:56:15Oh, hello, Albus.

00:56:16You're out late.

00:56:17Good evening, Rosmerter.

00:56:18Good evening.

00:56:20Forgive me, I'm off to the Hogshead.

00:56:21No offence, but I feel like a quieter atmosphere tonight.

00:56:25A minute later, they turned a corner into the side street where the Hogshead sign creaked

00:56:30a little, though there was no breeze.

00:56:32In contrast to the free broomsticks, the pub appeared to be completely empty.

00:56:36It will not be necessary for us to enter, muttered Dumbledore, glancing around.

00:56:41As long as nobody sees us go.

00:56:43Now place your hand upon my arm, Harry.

00:56:45There is no need to grip too hard.

00:56:46I am merely guiding you.

00:56:48On the count of three.

00:56:49One, two, three.

00:56:53Harry turned.

00:56:54At once, there was that horrible sensation that he was being squeezed through a thick

00:56:57rubber tube.

00:56:58He could not draw breath.

00:56:59Every part of him was being compressed, almost past endurance.

00:57:03And then, just when he thought he must suffocate, the invisible hands and bands seemed to burst

00:57:08open, and he was standing in cool darkness, breathing in lungfuls of fresh, salty air.

00:57:19Chapter 26 The Cave

00:57:22Harry could smell salt and hear rushing waves.

00:57:25A light, chilly breeze ruffled his hair as he looked out at moonlit sea and star-strewn

00:57:30sky.

00:57:30He was standing upon a high outcrop of dark rock, water foaming and churning below him.

00:57:35He glanced over his shoulder.

00:57:36A towering cliff stood behind, a sheer drop, black and faceless.

00:57:40A few large chunks of rock, such as the one upon which Harry and Dumbledore were standing,

00:57:44looked as though they had broken away from the cliff face at some point in the past.

00:57:48It was a bleak, harsh view, the sea and the rock unrelieved by any tree or sweep of grass

00:57:53or sand.

00:57:54What do you think?

00:57:55asked Dumbledore.

00:57:56He might have been asking Harry's opinion on whether it was a good site for a picnic.

00:58:00They brought the kids from the orphanage here, asked Harry, who could not imagine a less

00:58:04cosy spot for a day trip.

00:58:05Not here, precisely, said Dumbledore.

00:58:08There is a village of sorts about half way, along the cliffs behind us.

00:58:12I believe the orphans were taken there for a little sea air and a view of the waves.

00:58:16No, I think it was only ever Tom Riddle and his youthful victims who visited this spot.

00:58:20No muggle could reach the rock unless they were uncommonly good mountaineers.

00:58:24And boats cannot approach the cliffs.

00:58:26The waters around them are too dangerous.

00:58:28I imagine that Riddle climbed down.

00:58:30Magic would have served better than ropes, and he brought two small children with him,

00:58:34probably for the pleasure of terrorising them.

00:58:37I think the journey alone would have done it, don't you?

00:58:40Harry looked up at the cliff again and felt goosebumps.

00:58:42But his final destination, and ours, lies a little further on.

00:58:47Come!

00:58:48Dumbledore beckoned Harry to the very edge of the rock, where a series of jagged niches

00:58:52that made footholds led down to boulders that lay half-submerged in water and closer to the

00:58:57cliff.

00:58:58It was a treacherous descent, and Dumbledore, hampered slightly by his withered hand,

00:59:02moved slowly.

00:59:03The lower rocks were slippery with sea water.

00:59:06Harry could feel flecks of cold salt spray hitting his face.

00:59:10Lumos, said Dumbledore, as he reached the boulder closest to the cliff face.

00:59:14A thousand flecks of golden light sparkled upon the dark surface of the water a few feet

00:59:18below, where he crouched.

00:59:20The black wall of rock beside him was illuminated too.

00:59:23You see, said Dumbledore quietly, holding his wand a little higher, Harry saw a fissure

00:59:28in the cliff into which dark water was swirling.

00:59:31You will not object to getting a little wet?

00:59:34No, said Harry.

00:59:35Then take off your invisibility cloak.

00:59:37There is no need for it now, and let us take the plunge.

00:59:40And with the sudden agility of a much younger man, Dumbledore slid from the boulder,

00:59:44landed in the sea and began to swim.

00:59:46With a perfect breaststroke towards the dark slit in the rock face, his lit wand held in

00:59:51his teeth.

00:59:52Harry pulled off his cloak, stuffed it into his pocket and followed.

00:59:55The water was icy.

00:59:56Harry's waterlogged clothes billowed around him and weighed him down.

01:00:00Taking deep breaths that filled his nostrils with a tang of salt and seaweed, he struck

01:00:04out for the shimmering, shrinking light now moving deeper into the cliff.

01:00:08The fissure soon opened into a dark tunnel that Harry could tell would be filled with

01:00:13water at high tide.

01:00:15The slimy walls were barely three feet apart and glimmered like wet tar in the passing

01:00:20light of Dumbledore's wand.

01:00:22A little way in, the passageway curved to the left, and Harry saw that it extended far

01:00:26into the cliff.

01:00:26He continued to swim in Dumbledore's wake, the tips of his benumbed fingers brushing

01:00:31the rough, wet rock.

01:00:33Then he saw Dumbledore rising out of the water ahead, his silver hair and dark robes

01:00:37gleaming.

01:00:38When Harry reached the spot, he found steps that led into a large cave.

01:00:42He clambered up them, water streaming from his soaking clothes, and emerged shivering

01:00:46uncontrollably into the still and freezing air.

01:00:49Dumbledore was standing in the middle of the cave, his wand held high as he turned slowly

01:00:53on the spot, examining the walls and ceiling.

01:00:56Yes, this is the place, said Dumbledore.

01:00:58How can you tell?

01:01:00Harry spoke in a whisper.

01:01:01It has known magic, said Dumbledore simply.

01:01:04Harry could not tell whether the shivers he was experiencing were due to his spine deep

01:01:09coldness, or to the same awareness of enchantments.

01:01:12He watched as Dumbledore continued to revolve on the spot, evidently concentrating on things

01:01:17Harry could not see.

01:01:19This is merely the antechamber, the entrance hall, said Dumbledore after a moment or two.

01:01:24We need to penetrate the inner place.

01:01:26Now it is Lord Voldemort's obstacles that stand in our way, rather than those nature

01:01:30made.

01:01:31Dumbledore approached the wall of the cave and caressed it with his blackened fingertips,

01:01:35murmuring words in a strange tongue that Harry did not understand.

01:01:39Twice Dumbledore walked right around the cave, touching as much of the rough rock as he could,

01:01:44occasionally pausing, running his fingers backwards and forwards over a particular spot,

01:01:48until finally he stopped, his hand pressed flat against the wall.

01:01:52Here, he said.

01:01:53We go on through here.

01:01:55The entrance is concealed.

01:01:57Harry did not ask how Dumbledore knew he had never seen a wizard work things out like this,

01:02:01simply by looking and touching, but Harry had long since learned that bangs and smoke

01:02:06were more often the marks of ineptitude than expertise.

01:02:10Dumbledore stepped back from the cave wall and pointed his wand at the rock.

01:02:14For a moment, an arched outline appeared there, blazing white as though there was a powerful

01:02:18light behind the crack.

01:02:19You've done it, said Harry through chattering teeth, but before the words had left his lips,

01:02:24the outline had gone, leaving the rock as bare and solid as ever.

01:02:28Dumbledore looked around.

01:02:29Harry, I'm so sorry, I forgot, he said.

01:02:32He pointed his wand at Harry, and at once Harry's clothes were as warm and dry as if

01:02:37they had been hanging in front of a blazing fire.

01:02:39Thank you, said Harry gratefully, but Dumbledore had already turned his attention back to the

01:02:44solid cave wall.

01:02:45He did not try any more magic, but simply stood there staring at it intently,

01:02:49as though something extremely interesting was written on it.

01:02:51Harry stayed quite still.

01:02:53He did not want to break Dumbledore's concentration.

01:02:56Then, after two solid minutes, Dumbledore said quietly,

01:02:59Oh, surely not!

01:03:01So crude!

01:03:02What is it, Professor?

01:03:04I rather think, said Dumbledore, putting his uninjured hand inside his robes,

01:03:08and drawing out a short silver knife of the kind Harry used to chop potion ingredients.

01:03:12That we are required to make payment to pass.

01:03:16Payment, said Harry.

01:03:17You've got to give the door something.

01:03:19Yes, said Dumbledore.

01:03:20Blood, if I'm not much mistaken.

01:03:23Blood!

01:03:24I said it was crude, said Dumbledore, who sounded disdainful, even disappointed,

01:03:28as though Voldemort had fallen short of the standards Dumbledore expected.

01:03:32The idea, as I am sure you will have gathered,

01:03:34is that your enemy must weaken him or herself to enter.

01:03:38Once again, Lord Voldemort fails to grasp that there are much more

01:03:43terrible things than physical injury.

01:03:45Yeah, but still, if you can avoid it, said Harry,

01:03:48who had experienced enough pain not to be keen for more.

01:03:52Sometimes, however, it is unavoidable, said Dumbledore,

01:03:56shaking back the sleeve of his robes and exposing the forearm of his injured hand.

01:04:00Professor, protested Harry, hurrying forwards as Dumbledore raised his knife.

01:04:04I'll do it.

01:04:05I'm...

01:04:05He did not know what he was going to say.

01:04:07Younger, fitter, but Dumbledore merely smiled.

01:04:10There was a flash of silver and a spurt of scarlet.

01:04:13The rock face was peppered with dark, glistening drops.

01:04:16You are very kind, Harry, said Dumbledore,

01:04:18now passing the tip of his wand over the deep cut he had made in his own arm,

01:04:22so that it healed instantly, just as Snape had healed Malfoy's wounds.

01:04:26But your blood is worth more than mine.

01:04:28Ah, that seems to have done the trick, doesn't it?

01:04:31The blazing silver outline of an arch had appeared in the wall once more,

01:04:35and this time it did not fade away.

01:04:37The blood-spattered rock within it simply vanished,

01:04:40leaving an opening into what seemed total darkness.

01:04:43After me, I think, said Dumbledore,

01:04:46and he walked through the archway with Harry on his heels,

01:04:48lighting his own wand hastily as he went.

01:04:51An eerie sight met their eyes.

01:04:53They were standing on the edge of a great black lake,

01:04:55so vast that Harry could not make out the distant banks.

01:04:58In a cavern so high that the ceiling too was out of sight,

01:05:01a misty greenish light shone far away in what looked like the middle of a lake.

01:05:05It was reflected in the completely still water below.

01:05:09The greenish glow and the light from the two wands

01:05:11were the only things that broke the otherwise velvety blackness.

01:05:14Though their rays did not penetrate as far as Harry would have expected,

01:05:18the darkness was somehow denser than normal darkness.

01:05:22Let us walk, said Dumbledore quietly.

01:05:24Be very careful not to step into the water.

01:05:26Stay close to me.

01:05:28He set off around the edge of the lake, and Harry followed close behind him.

01:05:31Their footsteps made echoing, slapping sounds on the narrow rim of rock

01:05:35that surrounded the water.

01:05:36On and on they walked, but the view did not vary.

01:05:39On one side of them the rough cavern wall,

01:05:41on the other the boundless expanse of smooth, glassy blackness.

01:05:44In the very middle of which was that mysterious greenish glow.

01:05:48Harry found the place, and the silence oppressive, unnerving.

01:05:51Professor, he said finally, do you think the Horcrux is here?

01:05:55Oh yes, said Dumbledore.

01:05:57Yes, I'm sure it is.

01:05:58The question is, how do we get to it?

01:06:00We couldn't.

01:06:01We couldn't just try a summoning charm, Harry said,

01:06:05sure that it was a stupid suggestion,

01:06:06but much keener than he was prepared to admit

01:06:09on getting out of this place as soon as possible.

01:06:11Certainly we could, said Dumbledore,

01:06:13stopping so suddenly that Harry almost walked into him.

01:06:16Why don't you do it?

01:06:18Me?

01:06:18Oh, okay.

01:06:20Harry had not expected this, but cleared his throat and said loudly,

01:06:23Wanderlot!

01:06:24Accio Horcrux!

01:06:26With a noise like an explosion,

01:06:28something very large and pale erupted out of the dark water,

01:06:31some twenty feet away.

01:06:33Before Harry could see what it was,

01:06:34it had vanished again with a crashing splash

01:06:36that made great, deep ripples on the mirrored surface.

01:06:39Harry leapt backwards in shock and hit the wall.

01:06:42His heart was still thundering as he turned to Dumbledore.

01:06:44What was that?

01:06:45Something, I think, that is ready to respond,

01:06:48should we attempt to seize the Horcrux.

01:06:50Harry looked back at the water.

01:06:52The surface of the lake was once more shining black glass.

01:06:55The ripples had vanished unnaturally fast.

01:06:57Harry's heart, however, was still pounding.

01:07:00Do you think...

01:07:01Did you think that would happen, sir?

01:07:03I thought something would happen

01:07:05if we made an obvious attempt to get our hands on the Horcrux.

01:07:08That was a very good idea, Harry,

01:07:10much the simplest way of finding out what we were facing.

01:07:14But we don't know what the thing was, said Harry,

01:07:16looking at the sinisterly smooth water.

01:07:18What the things are, you mean, said Dumbledore.

01:07:21I doubt very much that there is only one of them.

01:07:23Shall we walk on?

01:07:25Professor?

01:07:25Yes, Harry.

01:07:26Do you think we're going to have to go into the lake?

01:07:29Into it?

01:07:29Only if we are very unfortunate.

01:07:32You don't think the Horcrux is at the bottom?

01:07:34Oh no, I think the Horcrux is in the middle.

01:07:37And Dumbledore pointed towards the misty green light in the centre of the lake.

01:07:41So, we're going to have to cross the lake to get to it?

01:07:43Yes, I think so.

01:07:45Harry did not say anything.

01:07:46His thoughts were all of water monsters,

01:07:49of giant serpents,

01:07:50of demons,

01:07:51kelpies and sprites.

01:07:52Aha, said Dumbledore,

01:07:54and he stopped again this time.

01:07:55Harry really did walk into him.

01:07:57For a moment he toppled on the edge of the dark water

01:07:59and Dumbledore's uninjured hand closed tightly around his upper arm,

01:08:03pulling him back.

01:08:04So sorry, Harry.

01:08:05I should have given warning.

01:08:06Stand back against the wall, please.

01:08:08I think I have found the place.

01:08:10Harry had no idea what Dumbledore meant.

01:08:12His patch of dark bank was exactly like every other bit as far as he could tell,

01:08:16but Dumbledore seemed to have detected something special about it.

01:08:19This time he was running his hand not over the rocky wall,

01:08:22but through the thin air,

01:08:23as though expecting to find and grip something invisible.

01:08:26Oho, said Dumbledore happily seconds later.

01:08:29His hand had closed in mid-air upon something Harry could not see.

01:08:33Dumbledore moved closer to the water.

01:08:35Harry watched nervously,

01:08:36as the tips of Dumbledore's buckled shoes found the utmost edge of the rock rim.

01:08:41Keeping his hand clenched in mid-air,

01:08:43Dumbledore raised his wand and the other and tapped his fist with the point.

01:08:48Immediately a thick coppery green chain appeared out of thin air,

01:08:52extending from the depths of the water into Dumbledore's clenched hand.

01:08:55Dumbledore tapped the chain,

01:08:57which began to slide through his fist like a snake,

01:08:59coiling itself on the ground with a clinking sound that echoed

01:09:03noisily off the rocky walls,

01:09:04pulling something from the depths of the black water.

01:09:07Harry gasped as the ghostly prow of a tiny boat broke the surface,

01:09:11glowing as green as the chain and floated,

01:09:13with barely a ripple,

01:09:15towards the place on the bank where Harry and Dumbledore stood.

01:09:18How did you know that was there?

01:09:19Harry asked in astonishment.

01:09:21Magic always leaves traces,

01:09:23said Dumbledore,

01:09:24as the boat hit the bank with a gentle bump.

01:09:26Sometimes very distinctive traces.

01:09:29I taught Tom Riddle.

01:09:30I know his style.

01:09:32Is this boat safe?

01:09:33Oh yes, I think so.

01:09:35Voldemort needed to create a means to cross the lake without attracting the wrath

01:09:39of those creatures he had placed within it,

01:09:41in case he ever wanted to visit or remove his horcrux.

01:09:45So the things in the water won't do anything to us if we cross in Voldemort's boat.

01:09:49I think we must resign ourselves to the fact that they will,

01:09:52at some point, realise we are not Lord Voldemort.

01:09:55Thus far, however, we have done well.

01:09:57They have allowed us to raise the boat.

01:09:59But why have they let us?

01:10:01asked Harry,

01:10:02who could not shake off the vision of tentacles rising out of the dark water

01:10:05the moment they were out of sight of the bank.

01:10:08Voldemort would have been reasonably confident that none but a very great wizard

01:10:11would have been able to find the boat,

01:10:13said Dumbledore.

01:10:14I think he would have been prepared to risk what was,

01:10:17to his mind,

01:10:18the most unlikely possibility that somebody else would find it,

01:10:21knowing that he had set other obstacles ahead that only he would be able to penetrate.

01:10:26We shall see whether he is right.

01:10:28Harry looked down into the boat.

01:10:30It really was very small.

01:10:32It doesn't look like it was built for two people.

01:10:34Will it hold both of us?

01:10:36Will we be too heavy together?

01:10:38Dumbledore chuckled.

01:10:40Voldemort will not have cared about the weight,

01:10:42but about the amount of magical power that crossed his lake.

01:10:45I rather think an enchantment will have been placed upon this boat

01:10:48so that only one wizard at a time will be able to set sail in it.

01:10:52But then, I do not think you will count, Harry.

01:10:55You are underage and unqualified.

01:10:58Voldemort would never have expected a sixteen-year-old to reach this place.

01:11:01I think it unlikely that your powers will register compared to mine.

01:11:05These words did nothing to raise Harry's morale.

01:11:08Perhaps Dumbledore knew it, for he added,

01:11:10Voldemort's mistake, Harry, Voldemort's mistake.

01:11:13Age is foolish and forgetful when it is underestimating youth.

01:11:17Now, you must, you first, you first this time, and be careful not to touch the water.

01:11:23Dumbledore stood aside, and Harry climbed carefully into the boat.

01:11:26Dumbledore stepped in, too, coiling the chain onto the floor.

01:11:30They were crammed in together.

01:11:32Harry could not comfortably sit, but crouched,

01:11:34his knees jutting over the edge of the boat, which began to move at once.

01:11:37There was no sound other than the silken rustle of the boat's prow cleaving the water.

01:11:42It moved without their help,

01:11:43as though an invisible rope were pulling it onwards towards the light in the centre.

01:11:47Soon they could no longer use or see the walls of the cavern.

01:11:50They might have been at sea, except that there were no waves.

01:11:53Harry looked down and saw the reflected gold of his wand light,

01:11:57sparkling and glittering on the black water as they passed.

01:12:00The boat was carving deep ripples upon the glassy surface, grooves in a dark mirror.

01:12:05And then Harry saw it, a marble white floating inches below the surface.

01:12:10Professor, he said, in his startled voice, echoed loudly over the silent water.

01:12:15Harry, I think I saw a hand in the water, a human hand.

01:12:19Yes, I'm sure you did, said Dumbledore calmly.

01:12:22Harry stared down into the water, looking for the vanished hand,

01:12:26and a sick feeling rose in his throat.

01:12:28So that thing that jumped out of the water.

01:12:31But Harry had his answer before Dumbledore could reply.

01:12:34The wand light had slid over a fresh patch of water and showed him, this time, a dead man,

01:12:39lying face up inches beneath the surface, his open eyes misted as though of cobwebs,

01:12:44his hair and his robes swirling around him like smoke.

01:12:48There are bodies in here, said Harry, and his voice sounded much higher than usual,

01:12:52and most unlike his own.

01:12:53Yes, said Dumbledore placidly, but we do not need to worry about them at the moment.

01:12:58At the moment, Harry repeated, tearing his gaze from the water to look at Dumbledore.

01:13:03Not while they are merely drifting peacefully below us, said Dumbledore.

01:13:08There is nothing to be feared from a body, Harry,

01:13:10any more than there is anything to be feared from the darkness.

01:13:13Lord Voldemort, who of course secretly fears both, disagrees,

01:13:17but once again he reveals his own lack of wisdom.

01:13:20It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.

01:13:25Harry said nothing, he did not want to argue, but he found the idea

01:13:28that there were bodies floating around them and beneath them horrible,

01:13:31and what was more he did not believe that they were not dangerous.

01:13:35But one of them jumped, he said, trying to make his voice as level and calm as Dumbledore's,

01:13:39when I tried to summon the Horcrux, a body leapt out of the lake.

01:13:43Yes, said Dumbledore, I am sure that once we take the Horcrux we shall find them less peaceable.

01:13:48However, like many creatures that dwell in cold and darkness,

01:13:52they fear light and warmth, which we shall share.

01:13:55We shall therefore call to our aid should the need arise.

01:13:59Fire, Harry!

01:14:00Dumbledore added with a smile in response to Harry's bewildered expression.

01:14:04Oh, right, said Harry quickly.

01:14:06He turned his head to look at the greenish glow

01:14:09towards which the boat was still inexorably sailing.

01:14:12He could not pretend now that he was not scared.

01:14:14The great black lake, teeming with the dead.

01:14:17It seemed hours and hours ago that he had met Professor Trelawney,

01:14:20that he had given Ron and Hermione to Felix Felicis.

01:14:22He suddenly wished he had said a better goodbye to them, and he hadn't seen Ginny at all.

01:14:29Nearly there, said Dumbledore cheerfully.

01:14:31Sure enough, the greenish light seemed to be growing larger at last,

01:14:35and within minutes the boat had come to a halt,

01:14:37bumping gently into something that Harry could not see at first.

01:14:40But when he raised his illuminated wand,

01:14:41he saw that they had reached a small island of smooth rock in the centre of the lake.

01:14:47Careful not to touch the water, said Dumbledore again as Harry climbed out of the boat.

01:14:51The island was no longer than Dumbledore's office,

01:14:54an expanse of flat dark stone on which stood nothing but the source of that greenish light,

01:14:59which looked much brighter when viewed close to.

01:15:01Harry squinted at it.

01:15:03At first he thought it was a lamp of some kind,

01:15:05but then he saw that the light was coming from a stone basin,

01:15:08rather like the Pensieve, which was set on top of a pedestal.

01:15:12Dumbledore approached the basin, and Harry followed.

01:15:14Side by side they looked down into it.

01:15:16The basin was full of an emerald liquid, emitting that phosphorescent glow.

01:15:22What is it? said Harry, quietly.

01:15:24I'm not sure, said Dumbledore.

01:15:26Something more worrisome than blood and bodies, however.

01:15:29Dumbledore pushed back the sleeve of his robe over his blackened hand,

01:15:33and stretched out the tips of his burned fingers towards the surface of the potion.

01:15:37Sir, no, don't touch!

01:15:39I cannot touch, said Dumbledore, smiling faintly.

01:15:42See, I cannot approach any nearer than this.

01:15:44You try.

01:15:46Staring, Harry put his hand into the basin, and attempted to touch the potion.

01:15:50He met an invisible barrier that prevented him coming within an inch of it.

01:15:54No matter how hard he pushed, his fingers encountered nothing

01:15:57but what seemed to be solid and inflexible air.

01:16:00Out of the way, please, Harry, said Dumbledore.

01:16:03He raised his wand and made complicated movements over the surface of the potion,

01:16:07murmuring soundlessly.

01:16:08Nothing happened, except perhaps that the potion glowed a little brighter.

01:16:12Harry remained silent while Dumbledore worked,

01:16:14but after a while Dumbledore withdrew his wand and Harry felt it was safe to talk again.

01:16:19You think the Horcrux is in there, sir?

01:16:21Oh, yes.

01:16:22Dumbledore peered more closely into the basin.

01:16:24Harry saw his face reflected, upside down in the smooth surface of the green potion.

01:16:29But how to reach it?

01:16:31This potion cannot be penetrated by hand, vanished, parted, scooped up, or siphoned away,

01:16:36nor can it be transfigured, charmed, or otherwise made to change its nature.

01:16:41Almost absentmindedly, Dumbledore raised his wand again, twirled it once in mid-air,

01:16:45and then caught the crystal goblet that he had conjured out of nowhere.

01:16:49I can only conclude that this potion is supposed to be drunk.

01:16:52What, said Harry?

01:16:53No.

01:16:54Yes, I think so.

01:16:56Only by drinking it can I empty the basin and see what lies in its depths.

01:17:00But what if...

01:17:01What if it kills you?

01:17:02Oh, I doubt that it would work like that, said Dumbledore easily.

01:17:06Lord Voldemort would not want to kill the person who reached this island.

01:17:10Harry couldn't believe it.

01:17:12Was this more of Dumbledore's insane determination to see good in everyone?

01:17:16Sir, said Harry, trying to keep his voice reasonable.

01:17:19Sir, this is Voldemort, where...

01:17:21I'm sorry, Harry.

01:17:22I should have said he would not want immediately to kill the person who reached this island.

01:17:27Dumbledore corrected himself.

01:17:29He would want to keep them alive long enough to find out how they managed to penetrate

01:17:33so far through his defences, and most importantly of all, why they were so intent upon emptying

01:17:38the basin.

01:17:39Do not forget that Lord Voldemort believes that he alone knows about his Horcruxes.

01:17:44Harry made to speak again, but this time Dumbledore raised his hand for silence,

01:17:48frowning slightly at the emerald liquid, evidently thinking hard.

01:17:52Undoubtedly, he said finally, this potion must act in a way that will prevent me taking

01:17:57the Horcrux.

01:17:58It might paralyse me, cause me to forget what I am here for, create so much pain I am distracted

01:18:04or render me incapable in some other way.

01:18:08This being the case, Harry, it will be your job to make sure I keep drinking, even if

01:18:12you have to tip the potion into my protesting mouth.

01:18:15You understand?

01:18:16Their eyes met over the basin, each pale face lit with that strange green light.

01:18:21Harry did not speak.

01:18:22Was this why he had been invited along?

01:18:25So that he could force-feed Dumbledore a potion that might cause him unendurable pain?

01:18:32You remember, said Dumbledore, the condition on which I brought you with me?

01:18:36Harry hesitated, looking into the blue eyes that had turned green in the reflected light

01:18:41of the basin.

01:18:42But what if?

01:18:42You swore, did you not, to follow any command I gave you?

01:18:46Yes, but I warned you, did I not, that there might be danger?

01:18:50Yes, said Harry, but well then, said Dumbledore, shaking back his sleeves once more and raising

01:18:55the empty goblet.

01:18:56You have my orders.

01:18:58Why can't I drink the potion instead?

01:19:00Asked Harry desperately.

01:19:02Because I am much older, much cleverer, and much less valuable, said Dumbledore.

01:19:06Once and for all, Harry, do I have your word that you will do all in your power to make

01:19:12me keep drinking?

01:19:13Couldn't.

01:19:14Do I have it?

01:19:15But your word, Harry.

01:19:17Aye, all right.

01:19:19But, before Harry could make any further protest, Dumbledore lowered the crystal goblet into

01:19:23the potion.

01:19:24For a split second, Harry hoped that he would not be able to touch the potion with the goblet.

01:19:28But the crystal sank into the surface as nothing else had.

01:19:32When the glass was full to the brim, Dumbledore lifted it to his mouth.

01:19:36Your good health, Harry.

01:19:37And he drained the goblet.

01:19:39Harry watched, terrified, his hands gripping the rim of the basin so hard that his fingertips

01:19:43were numb.

01:19:44Professor, he said anxiously, as Dumbledore lowered the empty glass.

01:19:48How do you feel?

01:19:50Dumbledore shook his head, his eyes closed.

01:19:52Harry wondered whether he was in pain.

01:19:54Dumbledore plunged the glass blindly back into the basin, refilled it and drank once

01:19:59more.

01:19:59In silence, Dumbledore drank three gobletfuls of the potion.

01:20:03Then, halfway through the fourth goblet, he staggered and fell forwards, against the basin.

01:20:08His eyes were still closed, his breathing heavy.

01:20:11Professor Dumbledore, said Harry, his voice strained.

01:20:14Can you hear me?

01:20:15Dumbledore did not answer.

01:20:16His face was twitching, as though he were deeply asleep, but dreaming a horrible dream.

01:20:21His grip on the goblet was slackening.

01:20:22The potion was about to spill from it.

01:20:24Harry reached forwards and grasped the crystal cup, holding it steady.

01:20:28Professor, can you hear me?

01:20:30He repeated loudly, his voice echoing around the cavern.

01:20:34Dumbledore panted, and then spoke in a voice Harry did not recognize, for he had never

01:20:38heard Dumbledore frightened like this.

01:20:40I don't want, don't make me.

01:20:44Harry stared into the whitened face he knew so well, at the crooked nose and the half-moon

01:20:48spectacles, and did not know what to do.

01:20:51Don't like, want to stop, want to stop, moaned Dumbledore.

01:20:56You, you can't stop, Professor, said Harry.

01:20:59You've got to keep drinking, remember?

01:21:00You told me, you had to keep drinking, here.

01:21:04Hating himself, repulsed by what he was doing, Harry forced the goblet back towards Dumbledore's

01:21:08mouth, and tipped it, so that Dumbledore drank the remainder of the potion inside.

01:21:13No, he groaned, as Harry lowered the goblet back into the basin and refilled it for him.

01:21:18I don't want to, I don't want to.

01:21:20Let me go.

01:21:21It's all right, Professor, said Harry, his hand shaking.

01:21:24It's all right, I'm here.

01:21:26Make it stop, make it stop, moaned Dumbledore.

01:21:30Yes, yes, this'll make it stop, lied Harry.

01:21:32He tipped the contents of the goblet into Dumbledore's open mouth.

01:21:36Dumbledore screamed.

01:21:37The noise echoed all around the vast chamber, across the dead black water.

01:21:42No, no, no, I can't, I can't, don't make me.

01:21:45I don't want to.

01:21:46It's all right, Professor, it's all right, said Harry loudly.

01:21:49His hand shaking so badly, he could hardly scoop up the sixth goblet full of potion.

01:21:55The basin was now half empty.

01:21:57Nothing's happening to you, you're safe.

01:21:58It isn't real, I swear it isn't real.

01:22:01Take this now, take this.

01:22:02And obediently, Dumbledore drank, as though it was an antidote Harry offered him.

01:22:07But upon draining the goblet, he sank to his knees, shaking uncontrollably.

01:22:11It's all my fault, all my fault, he sobbed.

01:22:14Please make it stop, I know I did wrong.

01:22:16Oh, please make it stop, I'll never, never again.

01:22:19This will make it stop, Professor, Harry said, his voice cracking as he tipped the

01:22:24seventh glass of potion into Dumbledore's mouth.

01:22:27Dumbledore began to cower as though invisible torturers surrounded him.

01:22:30His flailing hand almost knocked the refill goblet from Harry's trembling hands as he moaned.

01:22:37Don't hurt them, don't hurt them, please.

01:22:40Please, it's my fault.

01:22:41Hurt me instead.

01:22:42Here, drink this, drink this, you'll be all right, said Harry desperately.

01:22:46And once again Dumbledore obeyed him, opening his mouth even as he kept his eyes tight shut

01:22:51and shook from head to foot.

01:22:53And now he fell forwards, screaming again, hammering his fists upon the ground,

01:22:58while Harry filled the ninth goblet.

01:23:00Please, please, please, no, not that, not that, I'll do anything.

01:23:05Just drink, Professor, just drink.

01:23:08Dumbledore drank like a child dying of thirst.

01:23:10But when he had finished, he yelled again, as though his insides were on fire.

01:23:14No more, please, no more.

01:23:17Harry scooped up a tenth goblet full of potion and felt the crystal scrape the bottom of the basin.

01:23:22We're nearly there, Professor, drink this, drink it.

01:23:25He supported Dumbledore's shoulders and again Dumbledore drained the glass.

01:23:29Harry was on his feet once more, refilling the goblet as Dumbledore began to scream

01:23:34in more anguish than ever.

01:23:35I want to die, I want to die, make it stop, make it stop, I want to die.

01:23:42Drink this, Professor, drink this.

01:23:44Dumbledore drank and no sooner had he finished than he yelled, kill me.

01:23:49This, this one will, gasped Harry.

01:23:51Just drink this, it'll be over, all over.

01:23:54Dumbledore gulped at the goblet, drained every last drop and then,

01:23:57with a great rappelling gasp, rolled over onto his face.

01:24:01No, shouted Harry, who had still to refill the goblet again.

01:24:05Instead he dropped the cup into the basin,

01:24:07flung himself down beside Dumbledore and heaved him over onto his back.

01:24:11Dumbledore's glasses were askew, his mouth agape, his eyes closed.

01:24:15No, said Harry, shaking Dumbledore.

01:24:17No, you're not dead, you said it wasn't poison.

01:24:20Wake up, wake up.

01:24:22Renovate, he cried, his wand pointing at Dumbledore's chest.

01:24:25There was a flash of red light but nothing happened.

01:24:28Renovate, sir, please.

01:24:30Dumbledore's eyelids flickered, Harry's heart leapt.

01:24:34Sir, are you…

01:24:35Water, croaked Dumbledore.

01:24:38Water, panted Harry.

01:24:39Yes, he leapt to his feet and seized the goblet he had dropped in the basin.

01:24:43He barely registered the golden locket lying curled beneath it.

01:24:47Aquamenti, he shouted, jabbing the goblet with his wand.

01:24:51The goblet filled with clear water.

01:24:53Harry dropped to his knees beside Dumbledore,

01:24:55raised his head and brought the glass to his lips.

01:24:58But it was empty.

01:24:59Dumbledore groaned and began to pant.

01:25:01But I had some.

01:25:03Wait, Aquamenti, said Harry again, pointing his wand at the goblet.

01:25:07Once more for a second, clear water gleaned within it.

01:25:10But as he approached Dumbledore's mouth, the water vanished again.

01:25:12Sir, I'm trying, I'm trying, said Harry desperately.

01:25:16But he did not think that Dumbledore could hear him.

01:25:18He had rolled onto his side and was drawing great rattling breaths that sounded agonising.

01:25:23Aquamenti, Aquamenti, Aquamenti.

01:25:27The goblet filled and emptied once more.

01:25:29And now Dumbledore's breathing was fading, his brain whirling in panic.

01:25:32Harry knew instinctively the only way left to get water,

01:25:36because Voldemort had planned it so.

01:25:38He flung himself over the edge of the rock and plunged the goblet into the lake,

01:25:42bringing it up full to the brim of icy water that did not vanish.

01:25:46Sir, here, Harry yelled.

01:25:48And lunging forwards, he tipped the water clumsily over Dumbledore's face.

01:25:52It was the best he could do, for the icy feeling on his arm,

01:25:54not holding the cup, was not the lingering chill of the water.

01:25:58A slimy, white hand had gripped his wrist.

01:26:01And the creature to whom it belonged was pulling him slowly,

01:26:04backwards across the rock.

01:26:06The surface of the lake was no longer mirror smooth.

01:26:08It was churning, and everywhere Harry looked,

01:26:11white heads and hands were emerging from the dark water.

01:26:14Men and women and children with sunken, sightless eyes were moving towards the rock.

01:26:20An army of the dead rising from the black water.

01:26:23Petrificus Totalus, yelled Harry,

01:26:26struggling to cling on to the smooth, soaked surface of the island,

01:26:30as he pointed his wand at the Inferius that had his arm.

01:26:33It released him, falling backwards into the water with a splash.

01:26:36He scrambled to his feet,

01:26:38but many more in theory were already climbing onto the rock,

01:26:41their bony hands clawing at its slippery surface,

01:26:44their blank, frosted eyes upon him,

01:26:46trailing waterlogged rags, sunken faces leering.

01:26:49Petrificus Totalus, Harry bellowed again,

01:26:52backing away as he swiped his wand through the air.

01:26:55Six or seven of them crumpled, but more were coming towards him.

01:26:59Imperimenta, Incarcerus!

01:27:01A few of them stumbled, one or two of them bound in ropes,

01:27:05but those climbing onto the rock behind them merely stepped over or on the fallen bodies.

01:27:10Still slashing the air with his wand, Harry yelled,

01:27:13Sectumsempra! Sectumsempra!

01:27:17But though gashes appeared in the sodden rags and their icy skin,

01:27:20they had no blood to spill.

01:27:22They walked on, unfeeling, their shrunken hands outstretched towards him,

01:27:26and as he backed away still further, he felt arms enclose him from behind,

01:27:31thin, fleshless arms, cold as death,

01:27:33and his feet left the ground as they lifted him and began to carry him,

01:27:37slowly and surely back to the water,

01:27:39and he knew there would be no release,

01:27:41that he would be drowned and become one more dead guardian

01:27:44of a fragment of Voldemort's shattered soul.

01:27:46And then, through the darkness, fire erupted, crimson and gold,

01:27:51a ring of fire that surrounded the rock,

01:27:53so that the inferior holding Harry so tightly stumbled and faltered.

01:27:56They did not dare pass through the flames to get to the water.

01:27:59They dropped Harry.

01:28:00He hit the ground, slipped on the rock and fell,

01:28:03grazing his arms but scrambled back up again,

01:28:05raising his wand and staring around.

01:28:08Dumbledore was on his feet again,

01:28:09pale as any of the surrounding Inferi, but taller than any two.

01:28:13The fire, dancing in his eyes, his wand was raised like a torch

01:28:17and from its tip emanated the flames like a vast lasso,

01:28:21encircling them all with the warmth.

01:28:23The Inferi bumped into each other,

01:28:25attempting blindly to escape the fire in which they were enclosed.

01:28:29Dumbledore scooped the locket from the bottom of the stone basin

01:28:32and stowed it inside his robes.

01:28:34Wordlessly, he gestured to Harry to come to his side.

01:28:37Distracted by the flames, the Inferi seemed unaware

01:28:39that their quarry was leaving,

01:28:41as Dumbledore led Harry back to the boat,

01:28:43the ring of fire moving with them, around them,

01:28:45the bewildered Inferi accompanying them to the water's edge,

01:28:48where they slipped gratefully back into their dark waters.

01:28:52Harry, who was shaking all over,

01:28:54thought for a moment that Dumbledore might not be able to climb into the boat.

01:28:57He staggered a little as he attempted it.

01:28:59All his efforts seemed to be going into maintaining

01:29:01the ring of protective flame around them.

01:29:04Harry seized him and helped him back to his seat.

01:29:06Once they were both safely jammed inside again,

01:29:09the boat began to move back across the black water,

01:29:11away from the rock, still encircled by that ring of fire,

01:29:15and it seemed that the Inferi swarming below them did not dare resurface.

01:29:20Sir, panted Harry, Sir, I forgot about the fire.

01:29:23They were coming at me and I panicked.

01:29:25Quite understandable, murmured Dumbledore.

01:29:28Harry was alarmed to hear how faint his voice was.

01:29:31They reached the bank with a little bump and Harry leapt out,

01:29:34then turned quickly to help Dumbledore.

01:29:36The moment that Dumbledore reached the bank,

01:29:38he let his wand hand fall, the ring of fire vanished,

01:29:41but the Inferi did not emerge from the water.

01:29:44The little boat sank into the water once more,

01:29:46clanking and tinkling, its chain slithered back into the lake too.

01:29:50Dumbledore gave a great sigh and leaned against the cavern wall.

01:29:54I am weak, he said.

01:29:56Don't worry, Sir, said Harry at once,

01:29:58anxious about Dumbledore's extreme pallor and his air of exhaustion.

01:30:01Don't worry, I'll get us back.

01:30:03Lean on me, Sir.

01:30:04And pulling Dumbledore's uninjured arm around his shoulders,

01:30:07Harry guided his headmaster back around the lake, bearing most of the weight.

01:30:12The protection was, after all, well designed, said Dumbledore faintly.

01:30:17One alone could not have done it.

01:30:20You did well, very well, Harry.

01:30:22Don't talk now, said Harry, fearing how slurred Dumbledore's voice had become,

01:30:28how much his feet dragged.

01:30:29Save your energy, Sir.

01:30:30We'll soon be out of here.

01:30:32The archway will have sealed again.

01:30:35My knife!

01:30:36There's no need.

01:30:37I got cut on the rock, said Harry firmly.

01:30:39Just tell me where.

01:30:40Here.

01:30:41Harry wiped his grazed forearm upon the stone.

01:30:45Having received its tribute of blood, the archway reopened instantly.

01:30:48They crossed the outer cave, and Harry helped Dumbledore back into the icy sea water

01:30:54that filled the crevice in the cliff.

01:30:56It's going to be all right, Sir, Harry said over and over again,

01:30:59more worried by Dumbledore's silence than he had been by his weakened voice.

01:31:03We're nearly there.

01:31:04I can apparate us both back.

01:31:05Don't worry.

01:31:06I'm not worried, Harry, said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger,

01:31:10despite the freezing water.

01:31:11I am with you.

01:31:15Chapter 27 The Lightning Struck Tower

01:31:18Once back under the starry sky, Harry heaved Dumbledore onto the top of the nearest boulder,

01:31:23and then to his feet.

01:31:24Sodden and shivering, Dumbledore's weight still upon him,

01:31:27Harry concentrated harder than he had ever done upon his destination.

01:31:31Hogsmeade.

01:31:32Closing his eyes, gripping Dumbledore's arm as tightly as he could,

01:31:35he stepped forwards into that feeling of horrible compression.

01:31:38He knew it had worked before he opened his eyes.

01:31:40The smell of salt, the sea breeze had gone.

01:31:43He and Dumbledore were shivering and dripping in the middle of the dark,

01:31:46high street in Hogsmeade.

01:31:47For one horrible moment, Harry's imagination showed him more,

01:31:50in theory, creeping towards him around the sides of shops.

01:31:53But he blinked and saw that nothing was stirring.

01:31:56All was still, the darkness complete but for a few street lamps and lit upper windows.

01:32:01We did it, Professor, Harry whispered with difficulty.

01:32:04He suddenly realised that he had a searing stitch in his chest.

01:32:08We did it.

01:32:08We got the Horcrux.

01:32:10Dumbledore staggered against him.

01:32:12For a moment, Harry thought that his inexpert apparition had thrown Dumbledore off balance.

01:32:16Then he saw his face, paler and damper than ever, in the distant light of a street lamp.

01:32:21Sir, are you all right?

01:32:23I've been better, said Dumbledore weakly, though the corners of his mouth twitched.

01:32:28That potion was no health drink.

01:32:31And to Harry's horror, Dumbledore sank onto the ground.

01:32:34Sir, it's okay, sir.

01:32:35You're going to be all right.

01:32:36Don't worry.

01:32:37He looked around desperately for help, but there was nobody to be seen,

01:32:40and all he could think was that he must somehow get Dumbledore quickly to the hospital wing.

01:32:45We need to get you up to the school, sir.

01:32:47Madam Pomfrey.

01:32:48No, said Dumbledore.

01:32:50It is Professor Snape whom I need, but I do not think I can walk very far just yet.

01:32:56Right, sir.

01:32:57Listen, I'm going to knock on a door.

01:32:58Find a place you can stay.

01:32:59Then I can run and get Madam Severus, said Dumbledore clearly.

01:33:03I need Severus.

01:33:05All right, then, Snape, but I'm going to have to leave you for a moment so I can...

01:33:09Before Harry could make a move, however, he heard running footsteps.

01:33:13His heart leapt.

01:33:14Somebody had seen.

01:33:15Somebody knew they needed help, and looking around he saw Madam Rosmerta scurrying down

01:33:19the dark street towards them on high-heeled fluffy slippers, wearing a silk dressing gown

01:33:24embroidered with dragons.

01:33:26I saw you apparate as I was pulling my bedroom curtains.

01:33:29Thank goodness, thank goodness.

01:33:31I couldn't think what to.

01:33:32But what's wrong with Albus?

01:33:34She came to a halt, panting, and stared down wide-eyed at Dumbledore.

01:33:37He's hurt, said Harry.

01:33:39Madam Rosmerta.

01:33:40Can he come into the free broomsticks while I go up to the school and get help for him?

01:33:44You can't go up there alone.

01:33:46Don't you realize?

01:33:47Haven't you seen?

01:33:48If you help me support him, said Harry, not listening to her, I think we can get him inside.

01:33:53What has happened?

01:33:54asked Dumbledore.

01:33:55Rosmerta, what's wrong?

01:33:57The... the Death Mark, Albus.

01:33:59And she pointed into the sky, in the direction of Hogwarts.

01:34:03Dread flooded Harry at the sound of the words.

01:34:05He turned and looked.

01:34:06There it was, hanging in the sky above the school.

01:34:09The blazing green skull with a serpent tongue.

01:34:11The Mark Death Eaters left behind whenever they had entered a building,

01:34:15whenever they had murdered.

01:34:17When did it appear?

01:34:18asked Dumbledore.

01:34:19And his hand clenched painfully upon Harry's shoulder as he struggled to his feet.

01:34:23Must have been minutes ago.

01:34:25It wasn't there when I put the cat out.

01:34:26But when I got upstairs...

01:34:28We need to return to the castle at once, said Dumbledore.

01:34:31Rosmerta.

01:34:32And though he staggered a little, he seemed wholly in command of the situation.

01:34:36We need transport.

01:34:37Brooms.

01:34:38I've got a couple behind the bar, she said, looking very frightened.

01:34:41Shall I run and fetch?

01:34:42No, Harry can do it.

01:34:44Harry raised his wand at once.

01:34:46Asio, Rosmerta's brooms.

01:34:48A second later, they had heard a loud bang as the front door of the pub burst open.

01:34:52Two brooms had shot out into the street and were racing each other to Harry's side,

01:34:56where they stopped dead, quivering slightly at waist height.

01:34:59Rosmerta, please send a message to the Ministry, said Dumbledore,

01:35:03as he mounted the broom nearest him.

01:35:05It might be that nobody within Hogwarts has yet realised anything is wrong.

01:35:08Harry, put on your invisibility cloak.

01:35:11Harry pulled his cloak out of his pocket and threw it over himself before mounting his broom.

01:35:16Madame Rosmerta was already tottering back towards her pub

01:35:19as Harry and Dumbledore kicked off from the ground and rose up into the air.

01:35:23As they sped towards the castle,

01:35:24Harry glanced sideways at Dumbledore, ready to grab him should he fall.

01:35:29But the sight of the dark mark seemed to have acted upon Dumbledore like a stimulant.

01:35:33He was bent low over his broom, his eyes fixed upon the mark,

01:35:36his long silver hair and beard flying behind him in the night air.

01:35:40And Harry, too, looked ahead at the skull, and fear swelled inside him like a venomous bubble,

01:35:46compressing his lungs, driving all other discomfort from his mind.

01:35:50How long had they been away?

01:35:52Had Ron, Hermione and Ginny's luck run out by now?

01:35:54Was it one of them who had caused the mark to be set over the school,

01:35:57or was it Neville or Luna or some other members of the DA?

01:36:01And if it was, he was the one who had said to them to patrol the corridors.

01:36:04He had asked them to leave the safety of their beds.

01:36:07Would he be responsible again for the death of a friend?

01:36:10As they flew over the dark, twisting lane, down which they had walked earlier,

01:36:14Harry heard, over the whistling of the night air in his ears,

01:36:16Dumbledore muttering in some strange language again.

01:36:19He thought he understood why, as he felt his broom shudder for a moment

01:36:23when they flew over the boundary wall into the grounds.

01:36:25Dumbledore was undoing the enchantments he himself had set around the castle

01:36:29so that they could enter at speed.

01:36:31The dark mark was glittering directly above the Astronomy Tower, the highest of the castle.

01:36:36Did that mean the death had occurred there?

01:36:38Dumbledore had already crossed the crenellated ramparts and was dismounting.

01:36:43Harry landed next to him seconds later and looked around.

01:36:46The ramparts were deserted.

01:36:48The door to the spiral staircase that led back into the castle was closed.

01:36:51There was no sign of a struggle, of a fight to the death, of a body.

01:36:55What does it mean?

01:36:57Harry asked Dumbledore, looking up at the green skull with its serpent's tongue,

01:37:00glinting evilly above them.

01:37:02Is it a real mark?

01:37:03Has someone definitely been...

01:37:04Professor?

01:37:05In the dim green glow from the mark Harry saw,

01:37:09Dumbledore clutching at his chest with his blackened hand.

01:37:12Go and wake Severus, said Dumbledore faintly but clearly.

01:37:16Tell him what has happened and bring him to me.

01:37:19Do nothing else.

01:37:20Speak to nobody else.

01:37:21And do not remove your cloak.

01:37:23I shall wait here.

01:37:24But you swore to obey me, Harry.

01:37:27Go.

01:37:28Harry hurried over to the door leading to the spiral staircase.

01:37:31But his hand had only just closed upon the iron ring of the door

01:37:34when he heard running footsteps on the other side.

01:37:37He looked around at Dumbledore, who gestured to him to retreat.

01:37:40Harry backed away, drawing his hand as he did so.

01:37:44The door burst open and somebody erupted through it and shouted,

01:37:47Expelliarmus!

01:37:49Harry's body became instantly rigid and immobile

01:37:51and he felt himself fall back against the tower wall,

01:37:54propped like an unsteady statue, unable to move or speak.

01:37:58He could not understand how it had happened.

01:38:00Expelliarmus was not a freezing charm.

01:38:02Then, by the light of the mark, he saw Dumbledore's wand flying

01:38:06in an arc over the edge of the ramparts and understood.

01:38:08Dumbledore had wordlessly immobilized Harry

01:38:11and the second he had taken to perform the spell

01:38:14had cost him the chance of defending himself.

01:38:16Standing against the ramparts, very white in the face,

01:38:19Dumbledore still showed no sign of panic or distress.

01:38:22He merely looked across at his disarmer and said,

01:38:25Good evening, Draco.

01:38:27Malfoy stepped forwards, glancing around quickly to check

01:38:30that he and Dumbledore were alone.

01:38:31His eyes fell upon the second broom.

01:38:34Who else is here?

01:38:35A question I might ask you, or are you acting alone?

01:38:39Harry saw Malfoy's pale eyes shift back to Dumbledore

01:38:42in the greenish glare of the mark.

01:38:44No, he said, I've got backup.

01:38:46There are Death Eaters here in your school tonight.

01:38:48Well, well, said Dumbledore,

01:38:50as though Malfoy was showing him an ambitious homework project.

01:38:53Very good indeed.

01:38:54You found a way to let them in, did you?

01:38:57Yeah, said Malfoy.

01:38:58He was pouncing right under your nose and you never realized.

01:39:01Ingenious, said Dumbledore.

01:39:03Yet forgive me.

01:39:04Where are they now?

01:39:06You seem unsupported.

01:39:08They met some of your guard.

01:39:09They're having a fight down below.

01:39:10They won't be long.

01:39:12I came on ahead.

01:39:13I've got a job to do.

01:39:15Well, then you must get on and do it, my dear boy,

01:39:18said Dumbledore softly.

01:39:19There was silence.

01:39:20Harry stood imprisoned within his own invisible, paralyzed body,

01:39:25staring at the two of them,

01:39:26his ears straining to hear sounds of the Death Eaters' distant fight.

01:39:29And in front of him, Draco Malfoy did nothing but stare at Albus Dumbledore,

01:39:33who incredibly smiled.

01:39:36Draco, Draco, you are not a killer.

01:39:39How do you know, said Malfoy at once.

01:39:41He seemed to realize how childish the words that sounded.

01:39:44Harry saw him flush in the mark's greenish light.

01:39:47You don't know what I'm capable of, said Malfoy more forcibly.

01:39:51You don't know what I've done.

01:39:52Oh, yes, I do, said Dumbledore mildly.

01:39:55You almost killed Katie Bell and Ronald Weasley.

01:39:58You have been trying with increasing desperation to kill me all year.

01:40:02Forgive me, Draco, but they have been feeble attempts.

01:40:05So feeble, to be honest, that I wonder whether your heart has really been in it.

01:40:09It has been in it, said Malfoy vehemently.

01:40:12I've been working on it all year.

01:40:13And tonight somewhere in the depths of the castle below Harry heard a muffled yell.

01:40:18Malfoy stiffened and glanced over his shoulder.

01:40:21Somebody is putting up a good fight, said Dumbledore conversationally.

01:40:25But you were saying, yes, you have managed to introduce Death Eaters into my school,

01:40:30which I admit I thought impossible.

01:40:32How did you do it?

01:40:34But Malfoy said nothing.

01:40:35He was still listening to whatever was happening below and seemed almost as paralyzed as Harry now.

01:40:40Perhaps you ought to get on with the job alone, suggested Dumbledore.

01:40:45What if your backup has been thwarted by my guard?

01:40:49As you have perhaps realized, there are members of the Order of the Phoenix here tonight too.

01:40:54And after all, you don't really need help.

01:40:56I have no wand at the moment.

01:40:58I cannot defend myself.

01:41:00Malfoy merely stared at him.

01:41:02I see, said Dumbledore kindly, when Malfoy neither moved nor spoke.

01:41:06You are afraid to act until they join you.

01:41:08I'm not afraid, snarled Malfoy, though he still made no move to hurt Dumbledore.

01:41:13It's you who should be as scared.

01:41:15But why?

01:41:16I don't think you will kill me, Draco.

01:41:17Killing is not nearly as easy as the innocent believe.

01:41:20So tell me, while we wait for your friends, how did you smuggle them in here?

01:41:24It seems to have taken you a long time to work out how to do it.

01:41:28Malfoy looked as though he was fighting down the urge to shout or to vomit.

01:41:32He gulped and took several deep breaths, glaring at Dumbledore,

01:41:35his wand pointing directly at the latter's heart.

01:41:38Then, as though he could not help himself, he said,

01:41:40I had to mend that broken, vanishing cabinet that no one's used for years,

01:41:44the one Montague got lost in last year.

01:41:46Ah!

01:41:47Dumbledore's sigh was half a groan.

01:41:50He closed his eyes for a moment.

01:41:51That was clever.

01:41:52There is a pair, I take it.

01:41:54The others in Borgin and Burkes, said Malfoy,

01:41:57and they make a kind of passage between them.

01:41:59Montague told me that when he was stuck in the Hogwarts one, he was trapped in limbo,

01:42:03but sometimes he could hear what was going on at school,

01:42:06and sometimes what was going on at the shop,

01:42:08as if the cabinet was travelling between them.

01:42:10But he couldn't make anyone hear him.

01:42:12In the end, he managed to apparate out, even though he'd never passed his test.

01:42:16He nearly died doing it.

01:42:17Everyone thought it was a really good story,

01:42:19but I was the only one who realised what it meant.

01:42:22Even Borgin didn't know.

01:42:23I was the one who realised there couldn't be a way into Hogwarts

01:42:26through the cabinets if I fixed the broken one.

01:42:29Very good, murmured Dumbledore.

01:42:31So the Death Eaters were able to pass from Borgin and Burkes into the school to help you.

01:42:36A clever plan.

01:42:37A very clever plan.

01:42:38And, as you say, right under my nose.

01:42:41Yeah, said Malfoy, who bizarrely seemed to draw courage and comfort from Dumbledore's praise.

01:42:46Yeah, it was.

01:42:47But there were times, Dumbledore went on,

01:42:50weren't there, when you were not sure you would succeed in mending their cabinet,

01:42:54and you resorted to crude and badly judged measures,

01:42:57such as sending me a cursed necklace that was bound to reach the wrong hands,

01:43:01poisoning mead that was only the slightest chance I might drink.

01:43:05Yeah, well, you still didn't realise who was behind that stuff, did you?

01:43:09sneered Malfoy, as Dumbledore slid a little down the ramparts,

01:43:13the strength of his legs apparently fading,

01:43:15and Harry struggled fruitlessly, mutely, against the enchantment binding him.

01:43:19As a matter of fact, I did, said Dumbledore.

01:43:22I was sure it was you.

01:43:23Why didn't you stop me then?

01:43:24Malfoy demanded.

01:43:26I tried, Draco.

01:43:27Professor Snape has been keeping watch over you on my orders.

01:43:30He hasn't been doing your orders.

01:43:32He promised my mother.

01:43:33Of course, that is what he would tell you, Draco.

01:43:36But he's a double agent, you stupid old man.

01:43:39He isn't working for you.

01:43:40You just think he is.

01:43:41We must agree to differ on that, Draco.

01:43:44It so happens that I trust Professor Snape.

01:43:47Well, you're losing your grip then, sneered Malfoy.

01:43:50He's been offering me plenty of help,

01:43:51wanting all the glory for himself,

01:43:53wanting a bit of the action.

01:43:55What are you doing?

01:43:56Did you do the necklace?

01:43:57That was stupid.

01:43:58It could have blown everything.

01:43:59But I haven't told him what I've been doing in the Room of Requirement.

01:44:02He's going to wake up tomorrow and it'll all be over.

01:44:05And he won't be the Dark Lord's favourite any more.

01:44:07He'll be nothing compared to me.

01:44:09Nothing.

01:44:09Very gratifying, said Dumbledore mildly.

01:44:12We all like appreciation for our own hard work, of course.

01:44:15But you must have had an accomplice, all the same.

01:44:19Someone in Hogsmeade.

01:44:20Someone who was able to slip Katie the...

01:44:23Ah!

01:44:24Dumbledore closed his eyes again and nodded,

01:44:26as though he was about to fall asleep.

01:44:28Of course.

01:44:29Rosmerta.

01:44:30How long has she been under the Imperius curse?

01:44:34Got there at last, have you?

01:44:36Malfoy taunted.

01:44:37There was another yell from below, rather louder than the last.

01:44:40Malfoy looked nervously over his shoulder again,

01:44:42then back at Dumbledore, who went on.

01:44:44So poor Rosmerta was forced to lurk in her own bathroom

01:44:48and pass that necklace to any Hogwarts student who entered the room unaccompanied.

01:44:52And the poisoned mead?

01:44:54Well, naturally Rosmerta was able to poison it for you

01:44:56before she sent the bottle to Slughorn,

01:44:59believing that it was to be my Christmas present.

01:45:01Yes, very neat.

01:45:02Very neat.

01:45:03Poor Mr. Filch would not, of course, think to check a bottle of Rosmerta's.

01:45:07Tell me, how have you been communicating with Rosmerta?

01:45:10I thought we all had methods of communication in and out of the school monitored.

01:45:15Enchanted coins, said Malfoy, as though he was compelled to keep talking,

01:45:19though his wand hand was shaking badly.

01:45:21I had one and the other and he had and she had the other

01:45:24and I could send her messages.

01:45:27Isn't that the secret method of communication the group that called themselves

01:45:31Dumbledore's Army used last year? asked Dumbledore.

01:45:34His voice was light and conversational,

01:45:36but Harry saw him slip an inch lower down the wall as he said it.

01:45:40Yeah, I got the idea from them, said Malfoy with a twisted smile.

01:45:43I got the idea of poisoning the mead from the Mudblood Granger as well.

01:45:47I heard her talking in the library about Filch and not recognising potions.

01:45:52Please do not use that offensive word in front of me, said Dumbledore.

01:45:56Malfoy gave a harsh laugh.

01:45:58You care about me saying mudblood when I'm about to kill you?

01:46:01Yes, I do, said Dumbledore, and Harry saw his feet slide a little on the floor

01:46:06as he struggled to remain upright.

01:46:08But as for being about to kill me, Draco, you have had several long minutes now.

01:46:12We are quite alone.

01:46:14I am more defenceless than you can have dreamed of finding me,

01:46:17and still you have not acted.

01:46:19Malfoy's mouth contorted involuntarily as though he had tasted something very bitter.

01:46:24Now, about tonight, Dumbledore went on,

01:46:27I am a little puzzled about how it happened.

01:46:30You knew that I had left the school.

01:46:31But of course, he answered his own question,

01:46:34Rosmerta saw me leaving.

01:46:35She tipped you off using the ingenious coins, I'm sure.

01:46:38That's right, said Malfoy, but she said you were just going for a drink.

01:46:42You'd be back.

01:46:43Well, I certainly did have a drink, and I came back after a fashion,

01:46:47mumbled Dumbledore.

01:46:48So you decided to spring a trap for me.

01:46:51We decided to put the dark mark over the tower and get you to hurry up here

01:46:54to see who'd been killed, said Malfoy, and it worked.

01:46:58Well, yes and no, said Dumbledore,

01:47:00but am I to take it then that nobody has been murdered?

01:47:04Someone's dead, said Malfoy,

01:47:06and his voice seemed to go up an octave as he said it.

01:47:08One of your people.

01:47:09I don't know who.

01:47:10It was dark.

01:47:11I stepped over the body.

01:47:12I was supposed to be waiting up here when you got back.

01:47:15Only your phoenix lot got in the way.

01:47:18Yes, they do that, said Dumbledore.

01:47:21There was a bang and shouts from below, louder than ever.

01:47:24It sounded as though people were fighting on the actual spiral staircase

01:47:28that led to where Dumbledore, Malfoy and Harry stood,

01:47:31and Harry's heart thundered unheard in his invisible chest.

01:47:35Someone was dead.

01:47:36Malfoy had stepped over the body, but who was it?

01:47:40There is little time, one way or another, said Dumbledore,

01:47:44so let us discuss your options, Draco.

01:47:47My options, said Malfoy, loudly.

01:47:49I'm standing here with a wand.

01:47:50I'm about to kill you.

01:47:52My dear boy, let us have no more pretense about that.

01:47:56If you were going to kill me,

01:47:57you would have done it when you first disarmed me.

01:47:59You would not have stopped for this pleasant chat about ways and means.

01:48:03I haven't got any options, said Malfoy,

01:48:06and he was suddenly as white as Dumbledore.

01:48:08I've got to do it.

01:48:09He'll kill me.

01:48:10He'll kill my whole family.

01:48:12I appreciate the difficulty of your position, said Dumbledore.

01:48:15Why else do you think I have not confronted you before now?

01:48:18Because I knew that you would have been murdered if Lord Voldemort realized that I suspected you.

01:48:24Malfoy winced at the sound of the name.

01:48:26I did not dare speak to you of the mission with which I knew you had been entrusted,

01:48:31in case he used legilimency against you, continued Dumbledore,

01:48:35but now at last we can speak plainly to each other.

01:48:37No harm has been done.

01:48:38You have hurt nobody,

01:48:40though you are very lucky that your unintentional victim survived.

01:48:43I can help you, Draco.

01:48:45No, you can't, said Malfoy,

01:48:48his wand hand shaking very badly indeed.

01:48:51Nobody can.

01:48:52He told me to do it or he'll kill me.

01:48:54I've got no choice.

01:48:55Come over to the right side, Draco,

01:48:58and we can hide you.

01:48:59You hide you more completely than you can possibly imagine.

01:49:02What is more, I can send members of the order to your mother tonight to hide her likewise.

01:49:07Your father is safe at the moment in Azkaban.

01:49:10When the time comes, we can protect him too.

01:49:12Come over to the right side, Draco.

01:49:14You are not a killer.

01:49:16Malfoy stared at Dumbledore.

01:49:18But I got this far, didn't I?

01:49:20He said slowly.

01:49:21They thought I'd die in the attempt, but I'm here and you're in my power.

01:49:25I'm the one with the wand.

01:49:26You're at my mercy.

01:49:27No, Draco, said Dumbledore quietly.

01:49:30It is my mercy and not yours that matters now.

01:49:34Malfoy did not speak.

01:49:35His mouth was open, his wand hand still trembling.

01:49:38Harry thought he saw it drop by a fraction.

01:49:41But suddenly footsteps were thundering up the stairs,

01:49:43and a second later Malfoy was buffeted out of the way,

01:49:46as four people in black robes burst through the door onto the ramparts.

01:49:50Still paralyzed, his eyes staring unblinkingly,

01:49:52Harry gazed in terror upon four strangers.

01:49:55It seemed the Death Eaters had won the fight below.

01:49:58A lumpy looking man with an odd lopsided ear gave a wheezy giggle.

01:50:02Dumbledore cornered, he said, and he turned to a stocky little woman

01:50:06who looked as though she could be his sister, and he was grinning eagerly.

01:50:10Dumbledore wandless!

01:50:11Dumbledore alone!

01:50:12Well done, Draco!

01:50:13Well done!

01:50:14Good evening, Hermaicus, said Dumbledore calmly,

01:50:17as though welcoming the man to a tea party.

01:50:20And you've brought a lecto too!

01:50:22Charming!

01:50:23The woman gave an angry little titter.

01:50:25Think your little jokes will help you on your deathbed then, she jeered.

01:50:29Jokes?

01:50:30No, no, these are manners, replied Dumbledore.

01:50:33Do it, said the stranger standing nearest to Harry,

01:50:36a big rangy man with matted grey hair and whiskers,

01:50:39whose black Death Eaters robes looked uncomfortably tight.

01:50:42He had a voice like none that Harry had ever heard,

01:50:44a rasping bark of a voice.

01:50:46Harry could smell a powerful mixture of dirt, sweat,

01:50:49and unmistakably of blood coming from him.

01:50:52His filthy hands had long yellowish nails.

01:50:55Is that you, Fenrir? asked Dumbledore.

01:50:58That's right, rasped the other.

01:51:00Pleased to see me, Dumbledore?

01:51:02No, I cannot say that I am.

01:51:05Fenrir Greyback grinned, showing pointed teeth.

01:51:08Blood trickled down his chin, and he licked his lips slowly, obscenely.

01:51:12But you know how much I like kids, Dumbledore.

01:51:16And I am to take it that you are attacking even without the full moon now.

01:51:22This is most unusual.

01:51:23You have developed a taste for human flesh that cannot be satisfied once a month.

01:51:29That's right, said Greyback.

01:51:31Shocks you, that does it, Dumbledore.

01:51:33Frightens you.

01:51:34Well, I cannot pretend it does not disgust me a little, said Dumbledore.

01:51:38And yes, I am a little shocked that Draco here invited you,

01:51:41of all people, into the school where his friends live.

01:51:44I didn't, breathed Malfoy.

01:51:46He was not looking at Greyback.

01:51:47He did not seem to want to even glance at him.

01:51:50I didn't know he was going to come.

01:51:52I wouldn't want to miss a trip to Hogwarts, Dumbledore,

01:51:56rasped Greyback.

01:51:57Not when there are throats to be ripped out.

01:52:00Delicious, delicious.

01:52:02And he raised a yellow fingernail and picked at his front teeth,

01:52:05leering at Dumbledore.

01:52:07I could do you for afters, Dumbledore.

01:52:10No, said the fourth Death Eater sharply.

01:52:12He had a heavy, brutal-looking face.

01:52:14We've got orders.

01:52:15Draco's got to do it.

01:52:17Now.

01:52:17Draco.

01:52:18And quickly.

01:52:19Malfoy was showing less resolution than ever.

01:52:21He looked terrified as he stared into Dumbledore's face,

01:52:24which was even paler and rather lower than usual.

01:52:27As he had slid so far down the Rampart Wall.

01:52:31He's not long for this world anyway, if you ask me,

01:52:34said the lopsided man to the accompaniment of his sister's wheezing giggles.

01:52:37Look at him.

01:52:38What's happened to you then, Dumbie?

01:52:40Oh, weaker resistance, slower reflexes, Amicus, said Dumbledore.

01:52:45Old age, in short.

01:52:46One day, perhaps, it will happen to you, if you're lucky.

01:52:49What's that mean, then?

01:52:50What do you mean?

01:52:51yelled the Death Eater, suddenly violent.

01:52:53Always the same, weren't you, Dumbie?

01:52:55Talking and doing nothing.

01:52:57Nothing.

01:52:58I don't even know why the Dark Lord's bothering to kill you.

01:53:01Come on, Draco, do it.

01:53:03But at that moment, there were renewed sounds of scuffling from below,

01:53:06and a voice shouted,

01:53:07They've blocked the stairs!

01:53:08Reducto!

01:53:09Reducto!

01:53:10Harry's heart leapt.

01:53:12So these four had not eliminated all opposition,

01:53:14but merely broken through the fight at the top of the tower,

01:53:17and by the sound of it, created a barrier between them.

01:53:20Now, Draco, quickly, said the brutal-faced man angrily.

01:53:24But Malfoy's hand was shaking so badly that he could barely aim.

01:53:27I'll do it, snarled Greyback,

01:53:29moving towards Dumbledore with his hands outstretched.

01:53:32His teeth bared.

01:53:33I said no, shouted the brutal-faced man.

01:53:36There was a flash of light, and the werewolf was blasted out of the way.

01:53:39He hit the ramparts and staggered, looking furious.

01:53:42Harry's heart was hammering so hard,

01:53:44it seemed impossible that nobody could hear him standing there,

01:53:47imprisoned by Dumbledore's spell.

01:53:49If he could only move, he could aim a curse from under the cloak.

01:53:54Draco, do it, or stand aside so one of us…

01:53:57screeched the woman.

01:53:58But at that precise moment,

01:53:59the door to the ramparts burst open once more,

01:54:02and there stood Snape,

01:54:04his wand clutched in his hand as his black eyes swept the scene,

01:54:07from Dumbledore, slumped against the wall,

01:54:10to the four Death Eaters,

01:54:11including the enraged werewolf and Malfoy.

01:54:14We've got a problem, Snape, said the lumpy amicus,

01:54:17whose eyes and wand were fixed alike upon Dumbledore.

01:54:20The boy doesn't seem able,

01:54:22but nobody else had spoken Snape's name quite softly.

01:54:25Severus!

01:54:26The sound frightened Harry beyond anything he had experienced all evening.

01:54:31For the first time, Dumbledore was pleading.

01:54:34Snape said nothing,

01:54:35but walked forwards and pushed Malfoy roughly out of the way.

01:54:38The three Death Eaters fell back without a word,

01:54:40even the werewolf seemed cowed.

01:54:43Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore,

01:54:45and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face.

01:54:49Severus, please!

01:54:51Snape raised his wand and pointed it directly at Dumbledore.

01:54:56Avada Kedavra!

01:54:58A jet of green light shot from the end of Snape's wand,

01:55:02and hit Dumbledore squarely in the chest.

01:55:04Harry's scream of horror never left him,

01:55:07silent and unmoving.

01:55:08He was forced to watch as Dumbledore was blasted into the air.

01:55:12For a split second,

01:55:13he seemed to hang suspended beneath the shining skull,

01:55:16and then he fell slowly backwards,

01:55:18like a great rag doll,

01:55:20over the battlements and out of sight.

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